Commercial building fire on Carr Street, Ipswich

Two fire engines from Princes Street and one from Ipswich East are currently on scene at a suspected fire in a high rise building on Carr Street.

Firefighters are using breathing apparatus and positive pressure ventilation to clear smoke in order to investigate. 

Crews believe that the smoke alarm in a ground floor coffee shop was triggered, which activated the fire alarm.  

Firefighters will check Focus Apartments above coffee shop to check whether any properties there have been affected. 

Police also on scene and ambulance service has been informed. 

Further information to follow when known. 

Update (11:13am)

Firefighters have confirmed that the alarm was triggered due to activation of smoke alarm in Fresh Start Coffee. Work is still underway to clear the smoke. No further resources required. 

Update (11:30am)

Crews that arrived from Woodbridge, Needham Market, Felixstowe and Hadleigh fire stations have all been released.

Update (2:12pm)

A stop was called on this incident at 12:02pm.

It has been recorded as a false alarm. 

It is now known that the intruder alarm to the coffee shop was triggered, which activated a smoke cloak* that in turn triggered the automatic fire alarm. 

*A smoke cloak is a security fog system designed to protect properties by releasing a thick, non-toxic fog that reduces visibility to near-zero to make it difficult for criminals to see or steal anything. It can deter intruders for up to 45 minutes. 

Update (4.04pm)

This incident was closed at 2:34pm.