INVESTIGATORS are treating a blaze at a leather company in Woodbridge as suspicious.

Suffolk Fire and Rescue Service were alerted to reports of the blaze at Gibbins of Suffolk in Deben Road, Woodbridge, just after midnight.

Two appliances from Woodbridge and Ipswich East were sent to the scene but called for back-up on arrival, with another five crews mobilised including the command unit.

The commercial building was 40m x 7m and two-storeys tall and is used as a tannery.

Up to 30 firefighters worked in partnership with Network Rail, due to the close proximity of the flames to railway lines, and the Environment Agency, to ensure run off did not unnecessarily run into local waterways.

After three hours the flames were brought under control with crews using three hose reels, two jets and two hydrants.

Only one fire crew remains on the scene damping down hotspots.

A Suffolk police spokeswoman confirmed the blaze is being treated as suspicious.

She added: “The site will be secured until the fire investigation team arrive.”

Police investigators are due to arrive at the premises on Sun Wharf later today.