An 82-year-old man is in hospital tonight after firefighters tackled a roof blaze at his house in Suffolk.

Three fire engines were called to tackle the “partial roof” blaze in Christmas Lane in Linstead Parva, near Halesworth, at 4.50pm today, a brigade spokesman said.

He said the fire was put out and brought under control by 6.10pm.

An 82-year-old man, believed to be the only occupant of the two-storey house, was left “feeling unwell” but had not inhaled any smoke, the brigade spokesman added.

An ambulance spokesman said the man, who was conscious and breathing, was taken to Ipswich Hospital for further treatment.

It is believed his injuries are not life-threatening.

Meanwhile, neighbouring properties were safely evacuated and firefighters and UK Power Network engineers are investigating the cause of the blaze, the brigade spokesman added.

A police spokesman confirmed officers were called to the scene but refused to disclose further information.

It is believed there are currently no suspicious circumstances.

The brigade spokesman explained firefighters were able to get in to the roof space and extinguish the flames before they could spread to neighbouring properties.