Firefighters now believe a blaze above a high street shop in Ipswich was started deliberately.

East Anglian Daily Times: Police closed the road to make sure the area was safe Picture: MEGAN ALDOUSPolice closed the road to make sure the area was safe Picture: MEGAN ALDOUS (Image: Archant)

The fire service was called to the scene in Upper Brook Street at around 5.45pm this evening to discover a roof fire at a property above the CEX shop.

Four engines from Suffolk Fire and Rescue were deployed to the scene, but only two attended – one each from Ipswich East and Princes Street.

A spokesman for the service said crews were called to a rubbish fire on the second floor of a flat roof.

Once the fire was extinguished, the crews suspected it had been started deliberately and referred the matter to police.

East Anglian Daily Times: Four fire crews were deployed to the scene, but only two arrived Picture: MEGAN ALDOUSFour fire crews were deployed to the scene, but only two arrived Picture: MEGAN ALDOUS (Image: Archant)

A spokesman for Suffolk police confirmed the road was closed as a precaution.

He also stressed that the blaze was small, posing a minimal risk to residents.

The scene has now been cleared.