Crews initially responded to a single house fire. It has now spread to a neighbouring property, with both homes fully alight. All persons have been accounted for.
Appliances on scene include seven fire engines, an enhanced rescue tender, an aerial ladder platform (ALP), a water bowser (required due to poor water pressure), a Command Support Vehicle and an Operational Support Unit.
The Command Support Vehicle (CSV) is a specialist vehicle equipped with large working areas, computers and communications equipment that is used by the Incident Command Team to provide essential command and control functions during large or major incidents.
The Operational Support Unit (OSU) is a specialist vehicle designed to assist in various operational tasks. It can carry a range of items including salvage equipment, additional lighting, hose and chemical incident equipment, heavy cutting equipment, crew welfare resources etc.
Crews are tackling the blaze using four hose reel jets and one 45mm jet. The fire has been divided into sections, with firefighters assigned to each.
Update (10:48pm)
The fire is believed to be out in both properties.
The ALP is in use with firefighters using a hose reel jet to damp down. Crews on the ground, are using three 45mm jets, two hose reel jets and one short extension ladder and are also damping down. Water is being supplied by the water bowser (carrier).
UK Power Networks has been asked to attend, and police have placed a safety cordon around the incident.
Crews from Clare, Hadleigh and Sudbury Fire Stations have been released.
Update (11:32pm)
Further releases from the incident include the water carrier, which will return to Newmarket, the OSU, which will return to Haverhill, and the crew from Long Melford.
A fire appliance and crew from Newmarket are due on scene at midnight to provide relief.
Update (11:41pm)
UK Power Networks are due on scene at midnight.
Police to maintain an overnight guard at the properties.
Update (11:52pm)
A stop has been called, which is confirmation that no additional appliances will be required on scene other than those already in attendance or those due to arrive to provide relief to existing crews.
Update (20.8.26 at 7:36am)
At 00:25am UK Power Networks isolated the power to both properties.
At 1:57am crews were carrying out hotspotting and damping down using one hose reel jet and a short extension ladder. The crew from Ipswich East, along with the ALP were released from the incident.
At 3:26am the remainder of our crews left the scene. A reinspection will be conducted later this morning.
