Newsagent arrived to find flames shooting out of shop roof as blaze ripped through buildings

Crews are at the scene of a flat fire in Halesworth. Picture Suzanne Painting (Image: Archant)

The blaze broke out at D C Patrick Newsagents in Halesworth just after 6pm yesterday, with eight fire crews called to the scene.

No-one was injured, however many residents were evacuated from their homes as a cordon was put in place around the blaze in Market Place.

Newsagents owner David Patrick said his shop has been completely destroyed.

Fire and police crews at the scene of the Halesworth fire. Picture: Nick Butcher. (Image: Archant)

He said: “I came hurtling round the corner and there were flames coming out of the roof and out the windows.

“The shop is completely gutted from top to bottom and the back has gone. The front only looks like it is the top bit, but when you get round the back the whole lot has gone. So we are in a bit of a mess.

“Everybody knows I have a parrot in the shop and he talks to everyone, and with the fire service we got him out straight away, within 10 minutes. It was lucky because I don’t think he would have been here today if they hadn’t.

Fire crews at the scene of the fire in Halesworth. Picture: Amy Smith/Archant. (Image: Archant)

“They pulled the computers out as well so with a bit of luck we will keep going and everything will be alright. The carpet shop next door has offered me a room to help trade out of and we will keep all deliveries going out.”

Mr Patrick took to Facebook this morning to issue a “heartwarming thank you” to everyone who has wished him well and offered help.

He said paper deliveries had continued as usual and thanked the emergency services who responded with “speed and professionalism.”

Firefighters tackling the blaze at Halesworth. Picture: Amy Smith (Image: Archant)

He added: “I’ve got an army of paper boys I’ve got to thank for turning up this morning and all my workmen. Old and new customers have been coming up and asking if there is anything they can do and I had people asking me to stay last night. All I can say is thank you to everybody.”

Crews from Suffolk Fire and Rescue Service remain at the scene this morning, with a cordon still in place around the buildings affected.

Fire crews attend the scene of a fire at a newsagents on Market Place, Halesworth. Picture: Nick Butcher. (Image: Archant © 2018)

Firefighters tackling the blaze at Halesworth. Picture: Suffolk Fire and Rescue (Image: Archant)

Fire crews at the scene of the fire in Chediston Street, Halesworth. Picture: Nick Butcher. (Image: Archant © 2018)

Fire crews attend the scene of a fire at a newsagents on Market Place, Halesworth. Picture: Nick Butcher. (Image: Archant © 2018)

Fire crews attend the scene of a fire at a newsagents on Market Place, Halesworth. Picture: Nick Butcher. (Image: Archant © 2018)