Cerys Baker

A balcony fire at a property on Station Street in Ipswich was attended by crews from Ipswich Princes Street and Ipswich East after being reported at 7:23 p.m. Firefighters extinguished the blaze with a hose reel and checked for hotspots using thermal imaging equipment. Police arrived shortly afterward, and the occupant was handed into their care. The incident was declared under control at 7:57 p.m.

A detached four-bedroom house in Laburnum Gardens, Rushmere St Andrew, is being marketed by Fenn Wright for £750,000. The property includes a garage, parking for three to four cars, solar panels, air-conditioning, an EV charging point, four bedrooms, a modern kitchen and multiple reception spaces. Its garden features a patio, outdoor kitchen, storage shed, and a log cabin containing a bar and sauna, with a covered area for a hot tub.

Felixstowe has been ranked 10th in The Times’ list of the 25 best seaside places to live year-round. The town was praised for its revamped seafront, golf, sailing, schools, rail connections, independent shops, sandy Blue Flag beach and strong community, with an average house price of £320,500. The main drawback identified was that views of the sea are dominated by container ships because Felixstowe is home to Britain’s busiest port.

A fire broke out in an outside storage area near the B&M store at Warren Heath Retail Park on Felixstowe Road in Ipswich. Suffolk Fire and Rescue Service sent crews to contain the blaze, which was being kept from spreading to the building, while police assisted with traffic management. Residents were advised to keep windows and doors closed because of smoke.

Light winds, sunny spells and mostly dry conditions are forecast for Dunwich Heath over the weekend, which should help firefighters control the wildfire and access affected areas. A small chance of light rain is unlikely to significantly dampen the fire ground, while warm and dry conditions will continue to pose risks from flare-ups and slow-burning areas. The fire, which has spread across an area equivalent to 210 football pitches, remains under control but dynamic, with crews expected to stay on site. The Met Office says England and Wales are on course for their driest July on record, intensifying the wildfire threat.

High temperatures have caused an emergency speed restriction between Ingatestone and Chelmsford, disrupting Greater Anglia services between London Liverpool Street and Ipswich, as well as routes to Norwich, Clacton, Colchester Town and Braintree. Delays are expected to continue until further notice. Passengers whose services are cancelled may use earlier or later trains, while those delayed by at least 15 minutes may qualify for compensation through Greater Anglia’s Delay Repay scheme.

Colchester Zoo has announced the birth of a litter of fennec fox kits to first-time parents Pinky and Otis, marking the zoo’s first fennec fox birth in 18 years. The kits are reportedly healthy and receiving care from both parents. Their habitat is open to visitors intermittently while the Animal Care Team monitors the family, and the zoo is sharing updates through social media. The article also explains the species’ desert adaptations, family structure and ongoing threat from the illegal pet trade.

Four men were jailed for stealing boilers and appliances from 449 new-build properties across 10 counties, including developments in Haverhill, Thurston and Needham Market in Suffolk. The thefts, carried out between January and October 2025, caused more than £1 million in losses and extensive damage, including severed live gas and water pipes. Ilie Turcan received four years and 10 months, Tudor Ionas and Victor Borta four years and nine months each, and Dinis Cibotari four years and two months. Hertfordshire Constabulary led the investigation under Operation Linkage.

Firefighters responded to an undergrowth fire covering about 100 by 100 metres in Santon Downham after black smoke was seen from a distance. Crews from Newmarket, Brandon, Mildenhall and Bury St Edmunds used hose reels, beaters and additional water from a Newmarket carrier to surround and contain the blaze, with the incident later scaled back to two fire appliances and the water carrier.

An amber heat-health alert is in effect across the East of England from 9am Wednesday, July 29 to 9am Thursday, July 30, with parts of Suffolk forecast to reach 33°C and coastal areas 29°C. The alert warns of increased health risks for older people and those with chronic illnesses, greater pressure on health and social care services, and possible disruption to travel, power and water systems. Parts of Suffolk remain subject to an Anglian Water hosepipe ban, while the county has also experienced record-breaking temperatures above 35°C.

Ipswich driver Jason Alexandra Galyean was awarded a Royal Humane Society Testimonial on Parchment after pulling a man from the edge of the Orwell Bridge on February 8. Galyean stopped on the A14, ran 100 metres to the man and held him safely until police arrived, despite heavy traffic, strong winds and the risk of falling. Royal Humane Society secretary Andrew Chapman said Galyean had undoubtedly saved the man's life and richly deserved the award.

Firefighters responded to a bus fire in the engine compartment on London Road at the Hadleigh Road junction in Ipswich. Everyone on board was accounted for, police attended shortly afterward, and the incident was concluded at 11:45am. Severe traffic delays remained in the area.

Fake charity collection bags have been found dumped in rural areas of Suffolk, prompting police to warn that criminals may use them for doorstep scams or to gather information about properties for potential burglaries. Residents are advised to verify collection details independently, avoid leaving bags outside for extended periods, and donate through charity shops or official collection points.

Anglian Water will keep its hosepipe ban in parts of Suffolk and Norfolk in place because water resources remain unusually low after weeks of extreme heat. The restrictions, introduced on July 11, prohibit hosepipe use for activities including garden watering, vehicle cleaning and filling pools. Customer support has reduced water demand by 9%, while the company is increasing leak-repair efforts. Exemptions remain available for health and safety, animal welfare, religious observance, certain businesses and people on the Priority Services Register.

Five notable developments are scheduled in Suffolk for August 2026: Poundland's Martlesham Heath store will close on August 1 after failing to secure new lease terms; Boxford Stores will cease trading on August 15 for personal reasons given by its manager, Neil; Ipswich's Thomas Wolsey pub will host a charity summer festival on August 1 featuring 12 acts; Bury St Edmunds will hold a free international food and drink festival on August 30 and 31; and Euston Hall Estate will open its private gardens from August 25 to 31, with tours and gardening advice from head gardener Matthew Brewer.

A superbly presented three-bedroom end-of-terrace home near Newmarket town centre has been listed by David Burr for £270,000. The property includes character features, an open-plan kitchen and dining area, two bathrooms, a first-floor study space, and a low-maintenance rear garden.