TWO people were taken to hospital after a fire engulfed a block of flats in a sheltered housing scheme in Haxby.

The housing association which runs the property says alternative accommodation has been found for residents whose homes were damaged by the blaze.

Fire crews from Huntington, York, Harrogate, Acomb, Selby, Tadcaster and Easingwold were called to the scene on Wheatfield Lane, off Meadow Lane, at about 5.50pm on Thursday evening.

The blaze broke out in a first floor flat inside two-storey building Jubilee Court.

A spokesman for North Yorkshire fire service said: “Two residents were taken to hospital but their injuries are not believed to be life threatening.”

Neighbouring properties were also damaged in the blaze and crews used 24 breathing apparatuses, five hose reel jets and five jets to tackle the flames.

The cause of the fire has not yet been established.

The building is managed by Yorkshire Housing, and director of property services David Bolton said: "Our fire alarm safety measures were in place and successfully activated.

"A small number of customers in the neighbouring flats in the block evacuated safely. We do not yet know the cause and North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service is currently investigating.

"We can confirm that all customers are accounted for and there are no reported injuries.

"Two customers were admitted to hospital as a precautionary measure but they have now been released.

"Alternative accommodation arrangements have been made for customers and we are offering additional support where needed."

There are 28 flats inside the property, which was built in 1977 and renovated in 2006.

Catherine and Stephen Burdett, who live nearby, offered accommodation in their home to anyone who was left without a place to stay after the fire and praised the response of people living in the community.

Catherine said: “We live literally opposite and we didn’t know what situation people would be in. Thankfully everybody had been rehoused for the time being. We didn’t want anyone to be without somewhere to stay.

“It’s really bad. Half of the roof had completely caved in. It’s pretty badly damaged. Everyone in Haxby seems really lovely, it has a village feel."

Mike Ward, who lives nearby, said he saw smoke coming out of the flats while he was cooking.

He said: "The smoke was the worst part of it. It was just smoke at first but it soon turned into flames."

North Yorkshire Fire Service has launched an investigation into the cause of the blaze.