Shocked neighbours told how they heard a loud bang as a car smashed into a house and caught fire.

One man was arrested after a car crashed into the house in Rivelin Way, Rawcliffe, York, in the early hours of today (Sunday, September 3), injuring four people.

Residents spoke of hearing a loud crash as they were preparing for sleep followed by a second bang.

Looking out they saw flames and smoke bursting out of the house.

One resident said: "I heard a loud bang and a sound like smashing glass."

Another told The Press: "The blue lights were going for three hours back and forth along the road."

Firefighters from four stations brought in specialist equipment including lighting as they tackled the blaze.

Two people inside the house managed to get out uninjured, but a man suffered serious leg injuries when the white Volkswagen Golf R ploughed through the wall into the room where he was.

Three people in the car suffered head injuries. Ambulance crews took all four to hospital. None are believed to have life-threatening injuries. 

A spokesman for North Yorkshire Police said: “A man in his 20s, believed to be the driver of the car, has been arrested in connection with the incident.”

He appealed for any witnesses to the incident or who saw the car on Longwood Road, or elsewhere before it hit the house, to contact the police. 

Residents said they often saw cars speeding down the road, which has a 30 mph limit. 

The drama began shortly before 1.30am when the car, which is not believed to be stolen, drove onto Rivelin Way.

For three hours, all three emergency services worked together to deal with the incident and their vehicles came and went in the suburban street close to Clifton Moor.  

Fire crews attended from Acomb, York, Huntington and Tadcaster stations. 

The blaze and damage left the house uninhabitable.  

A structural engineer called by the emergency services inspected the house, which will need emergency repairs before the car can be removed. 

Witnesses should call 101 or email Hamish.Halloway@northyorkshire.pnn.police.uk, quoting incident number 12170157578.