Police have closed their investigation into a suspected arson at a ground-floor flat fire in which firefighters rescued a man from the building.

Officers were called to assist the fire service in University Crescent in Gorleston at 10.23pm on Sunday, October 6, following reports of an arson.

A spokeswoman for the fire service said that a man was rescued from the building having been blocked inside.

The man was taken to hospital for treatment and later detained by healthcare professionals under the Mental Health Act.

Police have confirmed that the investigation has now been closed.

Neighbours said they heard a "loud bang" and then a "huge orange flash" before the fire engulfed the ground-floor flat.

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One person who was sleeping said they "feared for their life" and their family's lives as shouts and screams awoke them.

The fire service said that they were alerted about the blaze by a 999 call at 10:18pm and arrived on the scene five minutes later.

Firefighters confirmed that the stop time for the fire was at 11:23pm but the residents of the evacuated building were not allowed back inside until 2am.

Emergency services at the scene of the fireEmergency services at the scene of the fire (Image: Submitted)