INVESTIGATIONS were continuing today into the cause of an explosion at a property in York.

Specialist fire investigators were still examining the house in Horsman Avenue, off Fishergate, which was rocked by the explosion on Monday afternoon.

Police have confirmed that the incident is being treated as suspicious and a man who was arrested on suspicion of arson has been released on bail.

The City of York Council-owned building, which is divided into flats, was evacuated and most of the occupants have been staying with relatives and friends since the incident. One elderly man was rehoused.

A council spokesman said it was expected to be decided today whether all the occupants needed to be permanently rehoused.

He said: "The building has been sealed off so that people cannot break in or endanger themselves. We will not know what is going to happen to the building until the fire brigade have finished their investigation.

"The residents clearly can't go back until we have determined whether the building is safe."

Updated: 11:59 Wednesday, August 28, 2002