This aerial photograph shows the devastating aftermath of a fire which ripped through seven flats above two shops in a town centre.

The fire on High Street/Gun Lane in Lowestoft happened on Saturday with 13 fire engines called out to deal with the blaze.

Today the area was still cordoned off as investigations into the cause of the fire continued.

The fire has also seen three households moved into temporary accommodation by East Suffolk Council.

Neighbours still remain shaken by what they witnessed and offered their gratitude to the emergency services for tackling the fire.

Paul Turner, 61 and who lives in a flat attached to the building which went up in flames, said the incident was "terrifying".

Lowestoft Journal: Mr Turner pictured with his cat Popey, was evacuated and stayed at a friend's house, is delighted to be back home and with his two catsMr Turner pictured with his cat Popey, was evacuated and stayed at a friend's house, is delighted to be back home and with his two cats (Image: Bruno Brown)

He said: “It was absolutely terrifying, it all happened so quickly.

"I was watching the Epsom Derby and my phone went and my mate was telling me to get out immediately, there was a real sense of panic.

"On my way out of the building I could barely see anything because of the opaque smoke which filled the air.

"I even tripped into a fireman in the rush out and went flying.

“I suffer from psychosis and this has made me have panic attacks since. I’m just so happy to be allowed back into my flat for the cats because I feel more safer."

Lowestoft Journal: This drone shot was taken directly above the seven flats which were gutted by the torrid blaze in LowestoftThis drone shot was taken directly above the seven flats which were gutted by the torrid blaze in Lowestoft (Image: Oliv3r Drone Photography)

Danny Draper, 37, lives in the same flat complex as Mr Turner.

Lowestoft Journal: Mr Draper and Mr Turner live in the flat complex, pictured to the right of the shot, next door to the seven flats which went up in flames Mr Draper and Mr Turner live in the flat complex, pictured to the right of the shot, next door to the seven flats which went up in flames (Image: Bruno Brown)

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Mr Draper said he saw the "flames bursting out of the window" while he was relaxing in his flat on Saturday afternoon.

He said: “I just heard smashing and people screaming, I looked out my window and saw flames bursting out of the window, the whole place was alight, it was just pure fire.

“It was absolutely crazy, I couldn't believe my eyes and then the next few moments were a bit of a blur.

“And it went really smoky when the fire engines squirted water to put the flames out, so smoky we couldn't see for hours."

Lowestoft Journal: The flats are above two shops, Vin-Tro and high Street Furnishings, which have been closed The flats are above two shops, Vin-Tro and high Street Furnishings, which have been closed (Image: Bruno Brown)

Diane Hart, 64,  who has run Waveney Launderette & Dry Cleaning for over 30 years, said it was "heartbreaking" for the tenants who lost their homes.

She said: “It was an absolutely awful thing to witness, horrific actually.

"I feel for the people who live there who have lost everything they own, it is heartbreaking.

"But it could have been so much worse, it is a miracle it didn't spread to my shop and I am glad that everyone is alright."

READ MORE: 11-year-old boy arrested over barn arson that shocks residents

Lowestoft Journal: Eileen Clarke, pictured on her 81st birthday, said she felt helpless as the fire service battled to fight the flamesEileen Clarke, pictured on her 81st birthday, said she felt helpless as the fire service battled to fight the flames (Image: Bruno Brown)

Lowestoft Journal: Wesley House where Mrs Clarke lives pictured behind the gutted remains of the flats Wesley House where Mrs Clarke lives pictured behind the gutted remains of the flats (Image: Bruno Brown)

Eileen Clarke, 81, has lived in Wesley House behind the flats for 10 years.

She said: “I heard some shouting and I saw smoke and I just thought somebody was having a barbeque and went inside.

“Next thing you know there was a cloud of black smoke, like something I have never seen before. It was absolutely huge and really scary.

“There was nothing I could do, I felt helpless, it was terrible and I honestly thought people could have died.

“I know two people in those flats and they must be devastated, my thoughts are with them and we can only thank the fire service."

READ MORE: Couple 'in a state of shock' after fire rips through barn in their garden

Lowestoft Journal: Brandon Taylor, who owns the flats above Waveney Launderette & Dry Cleaning next door to the seven neighbouring flats which went up in flamesBrandon Taylor, who owns the flats above Waveney Launderette & Dry Cleaning next door to the seven neighbouring flats which went up in flames (Image: Bruno Brown)

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Brandon Taylor, 56 and who is Mr Draper's and Mr Turner's landlord, said: “The main thing is that nobody was hurt which is an absolute miracle.

“Human life comes first so we hope to move forward, so I wish to thank them (the firefighters) for stopping the fire before it burnt my flats down."

The cause of the fire remains unknown while investigations continue but possible arson and the possibility of a cannabis factory are being looked at.

An East Suffolk Council spokesperson said: "As a result of damage caused to a property in Gun Lane, Lowestoft, following the outbreak of a fire on Saturday afternoon, our Housing Needs team acted quickly to find temporary accommodation for three households."