A man was stabbed to death in Somerleyton House in Somerleyton Street, off Unthank Road, at about 5.22am. Another man has since been arrested on suspicion of murder.

Tenants say panicked screams of “someone’s dead” could be heard from the upper wing of the building, which has now been cordoned off, before a fire alarm was set off.

Occupants, many still in their pyjamas and slippers, then fled down the stairs to escape and have since been moved to the Wensum Community Centre in Hotblack Road.

A man has been murdered in Somerleyton House in Norwich. (Image: Harry Jackaman-Pegg)

It is understood he was pronounced dead in the upper wing of the building, which students and professionals call home.

Somerleyton House has been described by tenants as a “quiet” place, with one remarking how he has not heard a single party or loud music being played at all since he moved in three months ago.

The stabbing has left people unable to go into their own homes until further notice.

An officer standing guard by the door has turned away many people throughout the afternoon.

Forensic investigators at the scene (Image: Harry Jackaman-Pegg)

Ben, who has lived in the accommodation since August, had to have his essential medication fetched by an officer after much deliberation by the force.

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He said: “They’re talking about putting people up in hotels. I just wanted to see if I could grab some medication from my room, but I don’t think I can even do that.

Several police cars are at the scene (Image: Harry Jackaman-Pegg)

“There were shouts and all that sort of thing, and then the fire alarm went off. We all thought it was just another fire alarm. Everyone was in flip-flops and shorts.

Detectives had to fetch one occupant’s medication for him from inside (Image: Harry Jackaman-Pegg)

“But then the police started turning up. I tried sleeping through it, but I couldn’t. There were like seven police cars.”

After asking an officer exactly when he could return to his room, he claims he was told: “How long is a piece of string?”

The Wensum Community Centre, where people who were evacuated from Somerleyton House are currently staying. (Image: Harry Jackaman-Pegg)

Another woman, who lives at Somerleyton House but is currently at the Wensum Community Centre, said she believes they may be let back in sooner rather than later.

But she fears the bloody evidence of the murder may still be left visible in the halls.

A large emergency services response rushed to the scene this morning (Image: Submitted)

“They’ll probably clear out and say we can go back soon, but I think there will be blood stains on the floor, and they won’t have cleared it up.”

It is understood that uniformed police officers, forensics experts and detectives will remain at the scene until at least Monday.

The alarm, which was blaring long before sunrise, woke up many across the Golden Triangle.

CID offficers arrive at the scene (Image: Harry Jackaman-Pegg)

One man, who lives in Essex Street, said the commotion woke up his housemate, while a worker at Tesco in Unthank Road, several minutes down the road, also heard it while clocking in.

Those living in Suffolk Square, which looks onto the back of Somerleyton House, say the blaring sound also ruined their rest.

One woman, who wishes to remain anonymous, said “she’d move away tomorrow” if she could due to the roughness of the area, directly behind the scene of the murder.

“I’ve lived here six years, and it’s somehow got worse, if that’s possible,” she added.

Anyone with information should contact Norfolk police on 101 quoting incident number 51 of Saturday, November 22, 2025.