The owners of a fire-damaged terraced house in north Norwich are facing a long wait before they can go home, as the property may have to be rebuilt.

Norwich Evening News: Flashback to March 24. Firefighters tackle the fire in the roof of four houses in Magpie Road. Picture: Denise BradleyFlashback to March 24. Firefighters tackle the fire in the roof of four houses in Magpie Road. Picture: Denise Bradley (Image: Archant)

Extensive damage was caused to several terraced houses in Magpie Road on Sunday, March 24. Fire crews spent almost six hours at the scene after being called just after 11am. Six fire engines and around 20 firefighters battled the blaze which started in the roof of one house and spread to three others. Three people, two women and a girl, lived in the house where the blaze started and they have been told that it might have to be rebuilt. They did not wish to be named, but one of the women, who has lived there for 37 years, said: 'We are currently living at a hotel, but don't know how long we can stay there. We understand the house may have to be rebuilt.'

Another of the properties damaged in the blaze remains empty and boarded-up.

A third property was renovated before the fire and had just been sold through Haart's estate agents in Norwich. Haart negotiator Daniel Gilligan said: 'The person who bought it withdrew the sale after the fire, so we lost a buyer. She has now bought somewhere else nearby. The owner of the building has been in touch with his insurers. The house had only been renovated about five weeks before the fire.'

The fourth property was not as badly damaged as the other three, and was reoccupied following the blaze. As reported, the fire service said the blaze was accidental, and station manager Richard Smith added this week: 'We believe the fire may have been caused by a fault in a chimney flue or an electrical fault in the roof space, but the damage was so severe that we are unable to give a definite cause with any degree of certainty.'

Have you been the victim of a recent Norwich fire? Call David Bale on 01603 772427, or email david.bale2@archant.co.uk