A man in his 20s has been arrested following a fire at a derelict care home in Great Yarmouth.

Seven fire crews spent four hours tackling the fire at the former Abbeville Lodge in Acle New Road, in the early hours of Wednesday (June 2).

A fence caught fire and neighbouring properties were evacuated as a precaution, leading to worried calls for action at the vandal-hit site which has seen a string of major fires.

A spokesman for Norfolk Police has confirmed the arrest in connection with criminal damage and arson endangering life, and fraud and forgery.

The man was taken to Great Yarmouth Police Investigation Centre for questioning and has been released under investigation.

Great Yarmouth Mercury: The back end at Abbeville Lodge on Acle New Road is completely burnt out.The back end at Abbeville Lodge on Acle New Road is completely burnt out. (Image: Liz Coates)

Meanwhile, Great Yarmouth Borough Council, has said the site would be cleared "shortly" and that it was poised to take enforcement action if the owner did not carry out the demolition.

In the aftermath of the fire families described the trauma of being woken by police and told to leave their homes.

Ines Diaz said having the care home on her doorstep was a constant worry.

She added: ""You never know when you go to sleep if it could go up in flames."

Great Yarmouth Mercury: Firefighters spent over four hours battling a blaze at Acle New Road on Wednesday June 2.Firefighters spent over four hours battling a blaze at Acle New Road on Wednesday June 2. (Image: Ines Diaz)

In a statement, Great Yarmouth Borough Council said: “The Council has visited the site of the Abbeville Lodge to assess the situation following this latest fire.

"We have spoken to the owner of the site and have been reassured that the site will be cleared shortly.

“The council’s top priority is to ensure the community and immediate area remain safe and though the owner is responsible for security of their site, the council continues to monitor the perimeter, with any fence breaches reported to the owner to address.

“If the appropriate action isn’t taken by the owner, we will look at enforcement options to prevent further fires and other anti-social behaviour issues related to the site.”