It is understood he had petrol thrown over him and set on fire.

The victim, understood to be in his early 30s, is in a serious condition in hospital after suffering injuries to his head and arms during the incident earlier today.

Fire crews who pulled the badly injured man from the house confirmed he had suffered burns to the head.

Watch manager Ged Suggitt, of Stranton Fire Station, said: "One male was rescued from the first floor bedroom. He was unconscious and had suffered respiratory problems and burns to the head and arms."

The terraced house is now cordoned off with police tape and a police community support officer on guard.

Detectives have confirmed they are investigating the incident in Annandale Crescent, Hartlepool, but have not released any specific details of the incident.

Windows are open at the property and the outside walls are charred.
People in the street have told how the man was on the doorstep of his home when another male apparently threw a fluid over him.

The witness initially thought it was water but moments later it was ignited and the door was slammed.

One woman, who did not want to be named, told the Mail: "I feel cold now when I think about it.

"I saw a lad with a can in his hand. I really thought it was water. The man who lives there was on the step.

"Then the lad just started pouring and pouring.

"He lit a match or a lighter and then the door just closed."
She told how that when the injured man was brought out of the house he looked "lifeless".

She told how another man ran down the street towards the house and barged in through the door.

A second man, who had apparently tried to help the stricken man was also injured.

It is understood he had ran into the house and up into the bedroom then jumped from the first floor window. But witnesses said it was unclear whether it was because of the scene he was confronted with or the conditions inside the house.

Other residents told the Mail how the street was "swarming" with local people and onlookers while the drama unfolded.

Cleveland Police said the incident was being treated as suspicious and an investigation was now under way.

A spokeswoman said: "There was an incident at 2am in Annandale Crescent and a man is in hospital with burns."