A 24-YEAR-old man has been arrested on suspicion of arson following a serious fire in Bungay town centre.The fire, which engulfed a flat situated above two prominent businesses in Cross Street, took place in the early hours of Saturday morning.

A 24-YEAR-old man has been arrested on suspicion of arson following a serious fire in Bungay town centre.

The fire, which engulfed a flat situated above two prominent businesses in Cross Street, took place in the early hours of Saturday morning.

The blaze took hold of the mid-terrace flat at about 3am, and crews battling to put out the flames came from seven stations in the area.

No-one was injured in the fire, but people were evacuated from adjoining homes, and the businesses below the flat had to close due to fire damage and a cut in the electricity supply.

Tiles were removed from the roof to expose the roof timbers, so that the fire could be extinguished, and the blaze was dealt with by 5.25am.

Engines attended from Beccles, Bungay, Halesworth, Harleston, Lowestoft and Loddon, with a hydraulic platform from Great Yarmouth and three back-up vehicles.

The businesses affected, the Short Sir-Cut barber shop and Lyall's Butchers, did not open in the morning after the fire as there was no electricity and some fire damage inside.

Lyall's Butchers remains closed, and it is not known when it will re-open, however Short Sir-Cut has found temporary premises in The Bunka on the corner of Broad Street and Bridge Street.

Owner Suzanne Warren said she was looking forward to welcoming her clients to her new location as of August 20.

She is offering a 75pc discount on all retail stock due to water damage, which includes straighteners reduced from �80 to �20.

The business has no telephone at present, and people with appointments already booked are asked to attend as planned.

A Suffolk police spokesman said: “We have arrested a 24-year-old man who is currently on police bail. He has been bailed to return to Lowestoft Police Station on October 20.”

The spokesman said the man, who was arrested on suspicion of arson is from the Bungay area.

Officers are keen to hear from any witnesses to the fire. Anyone with information should call Suffolk police on 01986 835300.