A 42-YEAR-OLD man has been released from hospital into police custody after a blaze ripped through a house following a suspected family dispute.

Jo Thewlis

A 42-YEAR-OLD man has been released from hospital into police custody after a blaze ripped through a house following a suspected family dispute.

The man, who suffered severe burns, is in police custody at Bury St Edmunds awaiting questioning by officers following the incident.

Police were called by a man at a property in Hutton Court in Eye at about 3.30pm yesterday and serious concerns were raised for the safety of the man and his family. There were reports that firearms may have been involved.

When officers arrived at the scene, they found a woman and two children safely leaving the house but a fire was started in the porch of the three-storey home.

Police said a man then came out of the house and was found to have suffered “serious injuries” and was taken to Ipswich Hospital.

He was later transferred to Broomfield Hospital in Chelmsford with “potentially life-threatening” burns to his hands and face.

The force said they had arrested a 42-year-old man - believed to be same man who was injured - on suspicion of affray and arson with intent to endanger life.

Seven people living in nearby properties were evacuated in the aftermath of the fire because of fears of a gas leak. They were allowed back into their homes at about 5am.

A Suffolk police spokeswoman said: “Officers had serious concerns for the welfare of the male and family members who were inside the house and immediately attended the scene.

“On arrival, officers found a woman and two children safely leaving the property.

“A fire was then started within the house. The male came out of the house and was found to have sustained serious injuries.

“The man was taken to Ipswich Hospital in a critical condition, with potentially life-threatening burns.

“Due to concerns over a gas leak from the house, seven residents who lived in adjacent and nearby properties were evacuated to Eye Fire Station.”

Neighbours last night spoke of their shock at the incident.

Zoe Jefferies, 22, of Hutton Court, was woken by police officers and moved with her two-year-old daughter to the station.

She said: “I was terrified. I just panicked. I could see police everywhere and flames coming from the building.

“Everyone was in their pyjamas, no-one knew what to do or say. We were all confused and worried.”

Lana Miller, 24, also of Hutton Court, woke to see her neighbours being escorted down the street by police to the nearby emergency shelter.

“It was very harrowing. It was awful,” she said.

“I saw a lady carrying some of her belongings because she just didn't know if she was going to go home again.”

Fire crews from Eye, Diss and Stradbroke broke down the burning building's door and smashed windows to tackle the blaze.

Watch manager Desmond Tatum, from Eye Fire Station, said: “It was a severe fire. We carried out a thorough search of the property and found it to be empty.”

A spokeswoman for the East of England Ambulance Service said they had received a call from police about a possible firearms incident.

The scene remained cordoned off yesterday.