HOMES were evacuated today as firefighters fought to stop a blaze spreading to residential houses.

The fire, which is believed to be arson, started in a van parked next to a pre-fabricated garage in St Paul's Square, Holgate, York, at 5am.

The flames spread from the vehicle to the garage which was full of combustible material. This then threatened to set ablaze homes within yards of the scene.

Firefighters evacuated the houses after being called by residents Edward Harland and his wife, Jenny.

The couple told how they were woken by the sound of an explosion.

Mr Harland, 58, and Mrs Harland, 59, looked out to see flames spreading from the camper van to the garage at the back of their house in St Paul's Square.

Mrs Harland said: "I just heard a bang. It sounded like guns going off. I looked out of my bedroom window and could see flames.

"It sounded like there was an explosion and there were loud popping noises as petrol in the van caught light. I could see lots and lots of flames and we rushed to call the fire brigade immediately.

"I was really worried that the flames would spread to the house because the garage is so close. The first thing would have been the kitchen that would have gone up.

"I just feel very lucky that we woke up and nothing worse happened."

Mr Harland said: "We went out into the street and all our neighbours had woken up and were out as well.

"We were worried the fire brigade wouldn't find it in time. It did take a while for the brigade to find the right place and by that time my workshop had gone up in flames."

Mr Harland said he used to use the workshop in the garage when he was a joiner and it was full of wood and tools.

There were nine people in their house at the time, including her daughter, her boyfriend and three lodgers who are language students.

Two neighbouring houses were also evacuated while firefighters dealt with the blaze. They were allowed back in their homes at 7am.

Station manager Mal Austwick said: "The fire in the van looked as if it may have been a deliberate ignition.

"It was very difficult for us to gain access because the fire was round the back of the houses. The van was parked next to the garage and so the flames spread to it quickly."

Four fire engines from York and Acomb stations were called to the scene. Firefighters were still dampening down the site this morning.

Updated: 09:06 Saturday, January 28, 2006