Kevin Duggan lives next door to the house which caught fire.
He said: “I was half asleep but I heard commotion and a kid who was shouting all kinds of things like ‘help’ and ‘fire’.
“We saw fire trucks, police and ambulance and then I saw a massive amount of smoke coming from my neighbour’s garden.
“A police officer then knocked on out door and said we needed to evacuate. We have absolutely no idea [when we will be allowed back in].”
He added: “It’s not your everyday start to a morning but I am sorry for everyone who has been directly involved. It was scary.”
Suffolk Police is now treating the fire as arson.
A spokesman for the force said: “Officers are appealing for any witnesses, or anyone who saw any suspicious behaviour in the area prior to the incident.
“Anyone with information is asked to contact South CID at Landmark House in Ipswich, quoting reference: 45775/24.”
