A FAMILY was rescued and neighbours evacuated after an explosion wrecked a house early yesterday.

Police and firefighters were last night unable to establish what caused the blaze at the empty terraced house.

Neighbours woke at about 1.45am to a loud bang and flames blazing from the terraced house.

Fire officers from Middlesbrough and Thornaby arrived to control the blaze as neighbours in Gresham Road, Middlesbrough, were evacuated.

The fire spread to an adjoining flat and officers used force to gain entry - not knowing if anyone was inside.

During their search, firefighters found a couple and their teenage daughter.

All three were carried to safety and received oxygen treatment.

Six students from the other adjoining house were evacuated as well as a family from another flat.

Watch manager Colin Gilchrist said the cause of the blaze was unknown and an investigation was under way.

Neighbour Alice Cruddas, 21, said: "I was in bed and I just heard a big bang and a crash of glass. I got out of bed and looked out of the window and there were flames coming from the house."

Her flatmate Cara Corcoran, 20, phoned the fire brigade. She said: "I just saw loads of fire coming out of the house. I said to Alice 'we have got to get out'. Within minutes, we saw the fire brigade coming."

Neighbours stayed with family or friends until their homes were deemed safe to enter.

Ms Cruddas said: "Everyone was just dismayed and walking around in shock."

A police spokesman said: "An explosion occurred within the property. However, we are unable to ascertain what the cause was. There has been severe damage."