Huge fire breaks out in Northgate Street in Great Yarmouth

Firefighters from Norfolk and Suffolk were alerted to the blaze in Northgate Street at about 5.20am today. 

It is believed a postman alerted the fire service to the blaze.

The blaze broke out above a tanning salon (Image: Emma Kelv-Seal)

The roof has been destroyed and a cordon is in place (Image: Newsquest)

One person and 10 dogs were rescued from the blaze.

The dogs were supported with specialist oxygen masks.

Station manager Chris Harding-Hook said: "At 5.20am, we attended a domestic and commercial combination building. 

Station manager Chris Harding-Hook (Image: Anthony Carroll)

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"We have rescued the people via a ladder rescue at the front and with the assistance of the police, also made other evacuations. 

"The building itself, the roof has completely collapsed now."

Thick black smoke could be seen rising into the sky. 

The roof of the building has collapsed (Image: Anthony Carroll)

Dogs were rescued from the blaze (Image: Newsquest) Buildings on either side of the blaze were evacuated as a precaution. 

The Kings Arms was set up as an evacuation point for those affected and a cordon was in place along Northgate Street

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Rev Canon Simon Ward, who witnessed the fire, added: "I was woken up by the smell of smoke and could see smoke in the neighbourhood, so I came down straight away.

"There was a gentleman at the top of the building and the fire brigade rescued him down a ladder. 

"As far as we are aware everyone in the community is safe. You can really see the devastation of the fire. It's heart breaking to see history going up in smoke in that way."

Members of the public were advised to avoid the area and keep doors and windows shut. 

Appliances from Acle, Aylsham, Carrow, Earlham, Great Yarmouth, Hethersett, Lowestoft, Wroxham and Wymondham were in attendence.

At 1.30pm Norfolk Fire and Rescue Service tweeted: "This incident has now been scaled down to 2 appliances and 1 aerial ladder platform.

"We remain on scene at this time but the warning (to avoid the area and keep windows shut) is no longer in effect."