AN arson investigation was under way today after a fire ripped through a Suffolk bungalow.

AN arson investigation was under way today after a fire ripped through a Suffolk bungalow.

The fire broke out just after 9pm last night in an empty house in Pattern Bush Close, Brantham.

Today the scene of the blaze, next to the village's Brooklands Primary School's playing field, was cordoned off to allow police and fire officers to carry out an investigation into the fire, which is being treated as suspicious.

Ross Nightingale, who lives next to the bungalow, said: “I was just sitting in the front room and there was an almighty bang, a big thud.

“I could see an orange glow and could see the kitchen was alight. I phoned the fire brigade and they were here within five minutes.

“There were bits of glass on the road that had been thrown when the window exploded.

“Our house wasn't damaged but it is a bit of a shock when you go outside and see your next door neighbour's house on fire.”

Meanwhile Charlotte Hills who also lives near the bungalow, which has been empty for around two months, added: “I heard the explosion and ran out of the house and saw the front of the bungalow was on fire, the window was smashed and there was debris in the road.

“I was a bit concerned because at first there was a lot of fire coming out but it didn't affect anyone else.

“It could have been much worse.”

Last night fire crews from Manningtree, Holbrook and Ipswich were called to the blaze and took around an hour to bring the flames under control.

Firefighters said the home had been badly damaged, with about 25 per cent of the detached property destroyed.

People in the area reported hearing an explosion, with glass appearing to have been blasted out of a front window and being scattered 30 metres away.

Speaking at the scene, the landlord of the property, who did not want to be named, said: “There was an explosion. The neighbour called me and I came down and found the fire brigade and police here. The property is empty at the moment.”

Did you see the fire? Write to Your Letters, Evening Star, 30 Lower Brook Street, Ipswich IP4 1AN or e-mail eveningstarletters@eveningstar.co.uk.