A FIREFIGHTER said a man who escaped from a serious blaze at a property in York was lucky to be alive.

Twenty five firefighters tackled the fire, which broke out shortly before 4.30pm yesterday in a downstairs flat in Station Road, Haxby.

It is believed passers-by rescued a man from the burning building by breaking the glass of a downstairs window and helping him climb through it.

A spokeswoman for Yorkshire Ambulance Service said the man, who is thought to be in his late 60s, suffered minor burns and was taken to York Hospital for treatment.

Residents were evacuated from neighbouring properties and their gas supply was switched off as a precaution following reports gas could be smelt.

Dave McCabe, group manager for York and Selby fire stations, said: “This was a particularly serious house fire.

“I have been into the premises and the front is completely burnt out. To be trapped in a fire of this severity and to walk out with only minor injuries is certainly good fortune. Our control room was able to give him survival guidance over the phone while it appears some passers-by tried to get him from the premises.”

June Montgomery, a teacher who lives opposite, said: “I heard a very loud bang and the sound of breaking glass.

“I looked outside, expecting to see a car crash, and saw the light fitting was on fire in the downstairs room in the house opposite and soon there were flames coming out of the window and door.

“I went out and there was an elderly man inside. He couldn’t get out of the front door because of the flames and people had to break the window to get him out.

“I could see his hands were burnt and he was in a lot of shock.”

Mr McCabe praised his crews, who brought the blaze under control in less than 20 minutes.