Pictures and video show aftermath of devastating house fire in Hartlepool as investigation begins

Three emergency services responded to the blaze in Mitchell Street, near Hartlepool town centre, at 8pm on Sunday, June 19.

Four fire engines attended including one from Billingham, Saltburn and Thornaby stations as well as Hartlepool.

Pictures from the scene on Monday show how the first floor appears to be completely gutted by the flames.

The area around the house has been taped off by police and the road partially closed.

Cleveland Police have issued an appeal for information after reports of an explosion.

A youth has been arrested on suspicion of arson.

The police and ambulance service also attended although the fire brigade said thankfully the house was unoccupied at the time.

A number of near neighbours were temporarily evacuated before being allowed to return to their homes.

Cleveland Fire Brigade said they were called at 8pm and used two hose reels and two breathing apparatus as they tackled the blaze.

The incident was over by around 9.20pm.

No details as to how the fire started are known yet.

A spokesman for the brigade said an investigation would begin on Monday morning.

A North East Ambulance Service spokesperson said: "We received a call 19.55 yesterday to reports of a house explosion on Mitchell Street in Hartlepool.

"We sent two hazardous area response teams, an officer, an emergency ambulance and a doctor from the Great North Air Ambulance Service. All our teams stood down on scene with no patients requiring treatment."