Anthony CarrollA flat in a Great Yarmouth seafront housing project for vulnerable people was badly damaged by a fire this afternoon.Four fire engines and a Norfolk Fire and Rescue Service hydraulic ladder vehicle were called out to the fire in Sandown Road which started just before 2pm.Anthony Carroll

A flat in a Great Yarmouth seafront housing project for vulnerable people was badly damaged by a fire this afternoon.

Four fire engines and a Norfolk Fire and Rescue Service hydraulic ladder vehicle were called out to the fire in Sandown Road which started just before 2pm.

It took the crews from Yarmouth and Gorleston about half an hour to put out the fire.

The top floor flat, which was unoccupied at the time of the blaze, is part of a St Matthew Housing building which provides accommodation for vulnerable people in the area.

About half a dozen residents from the building left their flats as the fire broke out.

Matthew Clutten watch manager at Yarmouth fire station said that the flat had been heavily smoke-logged and was extensively damaged by the fire.

The cause of the fire is being investigated.

As well as running the Sandown Road building also St Matthew Housing also has another site in Yarmouth at Moreton Court. Both sites offer accommodation to 22 vulnerable people.