ARSONISTS are suspected of being behind a blaze which wrecked a disused York bungalow.

A passer-by spotted smoke coming from the bungalow, in Almsford Road, Acomb, and called in firefighters.

The fire was extinguished in about 30 minutes, but the inside of the bungalow was destroyed.

The bungalow next door, owned by Peter and Jean Whaldron, was damaged by smoke.

Mr and Mrs Whaldron said the empty bungalow had become a magnet for fly tippers and nuisance youths.

Mr Whaldron said a small fire had broken out at the property last Wednesday, but was quickly put out. He said: "It hasn't been used for about four years. It is an ongoing situation with vandals, and as soon as the school holidays come along it is like an adventure playground in there."

The fire broke out at about 8.30pm last night.

Firefighters rescued a man from his burning third-floor flat in Tennyson Avenue, Bridlington, at about 12.15am today. He was treated at the scene then taken to hospital by ambulance. The cause of the fire is being investigated.

Updated: 09:18 Saturday, July 26, 2003