Fire tore through a York home tonight (Tuesday).
The blaze saw flames pouring out of the first floor flat of the building on Hope Street, off Walmgate, close to the junction with Long Close Lane.
People reported seeing the smoke down Piccadilly.
Fire location
The heat caused windows to crack and caused substantial damage.
Several fire crews were sent to the scene at 5.49pm.
Firefighters directed people away from the street while they tackled the flames.
Homes either side of the blaze were evacuated too. Witnesses said that they believed everyone got out safely.
A North Yorkshire Fire & Rescue Service spokesperson said: “Crews from York, Selby and Acomb responded to report of a fire in a flat.
“On arrival crews located the fire on the first floor. Crews used four breathing apparatus and two hose reel jets to extinguish and dampen down.
“It caused 100% fire damage to the room of origin and approximately 50% fire damage to an adjoining room.”