POLICE are investigating a suspicious house fire in York, which could have been the result of a firebomb.

The emergency services were called to a semi-detached house in Spruce Close, New Earswick, at 1.15am yesterday as fire raged through the hallway of the property.

A 41-year-old man was rescued from the property by firefighters after he was overcome by smoke inhalation. He was taken to York Hospital for treatment and later released.

A neighbour said she had heard rumours that the fire had been started by a firebomb, which had been pushed through the letterbox of the house.

The hallway suffered from fire damage, while the rest of the property was smoke damaged.

Police officers were called to the scene to investigate and forensic experts gathered evidence from the house. The cause of the fire is still being investigated, but it is thought to be suspicious.

The occupier of the house said he was "gutted" about the blaze.

He said he had been in bed when the fire started at his front door.

Updated: 10:49 Monday, April 19, 2004