The body of a man in his early 70s was discovered inside a home in a Suffolk home yesterday.

Emergency services were called to the property in Bridge Street, Framlingham around 4.45pm.

Neighbours were evacuated due to a smell of chemicals coming from the property.

Ambulance crews were called to check over police officers but a spokesman confirmed no treatment was needed.

Firefighters used protective clothing while investigating the scene “due to the concerns regarding the presence of chemicals”.

A spokesman for Suffolk Constabulary said there was no threat to the wider public.

The death is being treated as unexplained but not suspicious.

Suffolk Constabulary has launched an investigation to determine exactly what happened.

Bridge Street was closed while emergency services worked at the scene.

Four crews from Suffolk Fire and Rescue Service attended what it named a “chemical incident”.

A brigade spokesman said firefighters were there to support police and make the area safe.

The fire service has confirmed none of its staff needed treatment for exposure to chemicals.

Police left the scene around 12.30am today.

The man’s next of kin have been informed.

A Suffolk Constabulary spokesman said: “Police are investigating the death of a man aged in his 70s whose body was found at a property in Bridge Street, Framlingham.

“Officers discovered the body at around 4.45pm yesterday afternoon, in the property and inquiries to establish the exact circumstances are on-going.

“The death is currently being treated as unexplained, but there are not thought to be any suspicious circumstances.

“Due to the concerns regarding the presence of chemicals coming from the property, fire service personnel wore specially protective clothing as a precaution while investigating the scene.

“The public should be reassured that there is no wider threat of contamination in the area.”

A spokesman for the East of England Ambulance Service said: “We received a call at 8.09pm from our colleagues at Suffolk police to check over officers at the scene.

“The East of England Ambulance Service Trust dispatched an ambulance and ambulance officer to Bridge Street, Framlingham.

“We can confirm that no treatment was needed and advice was offered.

“None of our staff was exposed to the chemical in the area.”