Glass strewn across street after explosion rips through Ipswich flat
An 18-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of arson with intent to endanger life after an explosion shattered windows at a block of flats on Princes Street, Ipswich, on Friday night.
Why it matters: Residents were evacuated as a precaution and the street remains closed for public safety, with police continuing to investigate the circumstances of the incident.
The details: Police were called to Princes Street just before 20:45 on Friday, 31 July, following reports of a suspected explosion at a block of flats, which caused damage to several windows.
- Suffolk Fire and Rescue and the East of England Ambulance Service also attended the scene.
- Residents of the property were evacuated as a precaution.
- No injuries have been reported.
What's next: At approximately 21:05, an 18-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of arson/criminal damage with intent to endanger life. He has been taken to Martlesham Police Investigation Centre for questioning, where he remains.
Enquiries continue to establish the circumstances of the incident.
Windows blown out, shattered glass covering the street on the morning after the explosion on Princes Street (Photo: Oliver Rouane-Williams/Ipswich.co.uk)
The scene: As of 10:15 on Saturday, three police cars remained on Princes Street as officers continued their investigation, with a cordon still in place. Glass was strewn across the street, and the windows of a second-floor flat could be seen blown out.
For context: Princes Street is closed and a diversion is in place, with police advising it is expected to remain shut throughout the day.
The bottom line: Investigations are ongoing into a suspected explosion at a block of flats on Princes Street, with an 18-year-old man in police custody and the road expected to stay closed overnight.
Anyone with information is asked to contact Suffolk Police via www.suffolk.police.uk/tell-us or by calling 101, quoting CAD 416 of 31 July. Information can also be passed anonymously to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 or via www.crimestoppers-uk.org. In an emergency, always call 999.
Don't forget: If you enjoy our content, please add Ipswich.co.uk as a "preferred source" on Google so you can easily find more of the content you value.
This article cost us ~£27 to produce
It's free for you to read thanks to the generous support of our partners. Please support us by supporting them.
Below the line