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Felixstowe man arrested as six escape Ipswich house fire in suspected arson attack

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Ipswich.co.uk Logomark in a circle

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Six people fled a house fire in Ipswich early Tuesday morning in what police believe was a targeted arson attack. Two residents were hospitalised after jumping from an upstairs window to escape the blaze.

The big picture: Police are treating the fire as suspicious and have arrested a 24-year-old man from Felixstowe in connection with the incident. Eleven residents from neighbouring properties were evacuated.

Police remain at the scene of the suspected arson attack on Portman Road
Police remain at the scene of the suspected arson attack on Portman RoadOliver Rouane-WilliamsIpswich.co.uk
A burnt out window of a house on Portman Road
A burnt-out window hints at the damage insideOliver Rouane-WilliamsIpswich.co.uk

Key details:

  • The fire broke out at a property on Portman Road just before 5:20am on Tuesday, August 13

  • Six people were in the house at the time - four escaped uninjured

  • A man and woman were taken to hospital with leg fractures and smoke inhalation after jumping from an upstairs window

  • Police believe it was a "localised and targeted attack"

  • Ipswich Borough Council is accommodating evacuated neighbours in a refuge centre

What's next: Police have set up a crime scene and are appealing for witnesses or anyone who saw suspicious behaviour in the area before the fire.

How to help: Anyone with information should contact South CID at Landmark House in Ipswich, quoting reference 45775/24. Alternatively, contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or via www.crimestoppers-uk.org.

The bottom line: This suspected arson attack has left two people injured. Police are urging the community to come forward with any information that could aid their investigation.

Oliver Rouane-Williams speaking with an elderly couple in the town centre

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Has Fabio Wardley's 'dream' Portman Road fight moved one step closer?

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Ipswich.co.uk Logomark in a circle

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We publish the stories that matter and champion everything that's good about our town – without the ads, popups or tracking

The British heavyweight champion and diehard Ipswich Town fan could see his ambition to fight at his beloved club become reality after a new licence application.

Why it matters: Ipswich Town Football Club has applied for a variation of its licence at Portman Road. The application has requested boxing or wrestling entertainment to take place between 12:00 and 22:30 on Sundays to Thursdays, as well as 12:00 to 23:00 on Fridays and Saturdays.

West Stand at Portman Road stadium in Ipswich
West Stand at Portman Road stadium in IpswichHolly Woodard-Williams

What they're saying: Speaking with the BBC, an ITFC spokesperson said: "Following infrastructure improvements to Portman Road over the past couple of years, it will not be uncommon for the stadium to apply for various licences to host events across different sectors; this is just one of many that will start to appear."

For context: British heavyweight champion and Ipswich Town fan Fabio Wardley said it was his "dream" to fight at the ground.

In October 2024, Wardley told BBC Radio Suffolk he wanted to fight at Portman Road, saying: "It's still the dream and it's on the cards".

"If anything it's closer than ever now because being with Frank Warren my promoter, he's done stadium shows before and he knows how to put them on.

"When it happens is still a massive question but pieces are definitely falling into place for this."

Fabio Wardley at Portman Road stadium in Ipswich
Fabio Wardley at Portman Road stadium in IpswichAlamy

The bigger picture: Ipswich Town chief executive, Mark Ashton, said in November 2024 that the club had been in discussion with Wardley about appearing at the ground and that it was in the "pipeline" but not "imminent".

The details: The club has also requested to be permitted to include live music performances, playing of recorded music, dance performances as well as alcohol sales and late night refreshments.

Portman Road underwent a series of improvements last summer to prepare the ground for Premier League football, including new media facilities, more executive boxes and the introduction of safe standing areas at the ground for the first time.

What's next: Posters advertising the change have been put up in the area around the ground with people able to have their say on the change until 24 April.

Oliver Rouane-Williams speaking with an elderly couple in the town centre

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