A man is fighting for his life after a gas blast tore the roof off a first floor flat.

Police believe the explosion was sparked by a lit cigarette after a gas leak at the property.

The man, in his twenties and thought to be squatting at the flat, was taken to Newcastle General Hospital suffering from severe burns.

The huge blast happened at the flat in Longley Street, Arthur's Hill, in the West End of Newcastle, shortly before 1am today.

The force of the blast sent rubble and debris streaming down the street.

Firefighters attending the scene said it was a miracle nobody was killed.

The squatter was fighting for his life yesterday in intensive care.

Emergency services cordoned off the area and firefighters evacuated nearby residents from four properties - including a next door couple who were in bed at the time of the blast.

Police and firefighters were still at the scene yesterday as structural engineers assessed the damage.

Transco engineers attended and cut off the main gas supply. The building may have to be torn down.

Initial tests revealed no problems with the main pipe although further tests will be carried out once council chiefs have been in.

Fireman John Foreman from West End Station said: "There was a high danger of the building collapsing. The entire side of the property was blown out and most of the roof was missing with debris all over the road.

"The next door property was also affected which had a couple in bed at the time. "They were very, very lucky for it not to have been worse."