Families were moved out of their homes as a fire swept through a derelict range of outbuildings in Great Yarmouth.
Nearby residents told of massive flames erupting from the old building, which is believed to have been for sale.
The blaze started around 10.30pm last night in School Road.
Norfolk Fire Service appliances from Great Yarmouth, Gorleston, Acle and a control unit from Wymondham were able to extinguish the blaze before midnight, and families returned to their homes. There were no injuries.
Station manager Jonathan Wilby said the building was well alight when fire crews arrived. 'Fortunately we have got four appliances in the borough, and that rapid intervention stopped it spreading,' he added.
Ryan Cole, 20, of Sidegate Road, saw the blaze with his girlfriend and called the fire service. 'It was huge, really big,' he said. 'All I saw was the metal scaffolding fall down. It just literally melted and went down.'
It is believed the fire may have caused a power cut in the area.
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