FIVE people had an amazing escape when their home was rocked by an apparent gas explosion.

Flames tore through the roof of the house in Horseman Avenue, off Fishergate, York, after the blast.

Police said they were treating the incident as suspicious.

The householders swiftly fled the property, fearing further explosions, after being warned that gas could be involved.

None of them was hurt, despite the ferocity of the explosion and fire.

About 20 firefighters from York, Acomb and Selby fire stations battled the resulting blaze.

They were worried that one householder could still be inside the wrecked building, but the intense heat and the unstable structure made it impossible for them to get inside. However, the missing man is believed to have been out at the time of the explosion.

It was not possible for the householders to return to their homes after the explosion.

Later, it was confirmed that all those living in the house, which had been divided into flats, had been accounted for.

Neighbours said they had spent the night with friends or family, or in other temporary accommodation.

As an investigation got under way today into the cause of the devastating blast, building experts were due to assess the safety of the badly-damaged block.

Sergeant Shaun Thompson, of York police, said: "We are treating the incident as suspicious."

Steven Caunt, who lives opposite the flats, said he heard a loud bang at about 1.40pm yesterday, and alerted his mother, Beverley, who called the fire brigade.

Steven said: "I looked out and could see something coming from out of the window, which could have been the shutters."

The occupants of the house were quickly evacuated including Reginald Bryant, who has lived there for 20 years.

He said: "I heard an explosion and then somebody came to my door and said you had better get out as it may be a gas explosion."

Four appliances were called in to get the blaze under control and to make the building safe.

Sub-officer Tony Brown from York Fire Station, who was first on the scene, said: "We had a report of an explosion, and when we came around the corner there was a large column of smoke and flames on the roof.

"There were quite a lot of flames coming through the roof and the neighbours told us there was a possibility of the gentleman being in there."

"There was so much heat and with the roof collapsing there were very dangerous conditions and it was not possible for us to make an entry."

Sub-officer Brown said: "There was a gas cylinder which we believe may have caused the explosion in the first place."

A spokesman for the City of York Council said: "We have advised all the tenants that it is unsafe to go back. Most of them have found accommodation with friends and family and we have rehoused an elderly gentleman. Our structural engineer said while the flat has been fire-damaged, the rest of the building has also been affected and we have declared it unsafe.

"The investigation is ongoing to establish the exact cause and we have advised all the tenants to speak to their estate manager today."

A man was arrested on suspicion of arson in connection with the incident. Police said he had been interviewed at York police station and released on bail.

Updated: 16:17 Tuesday, August 27, 2002