TWO firefighters are lucky to be alive as the burning roof of a supermarket collapsed only seconds after they left the building.

Arsonists have been blamed for the fire that devastated the Costcutter store in Church Street, Dunnington, near York, on Tuesday evening.

Crews were forced to flee the shop before its roof collapsed, leaving it in ruins, with neighbouring properties also suffering damage.

While no one was hurt in the incident, a fire brigade pokesman said two of the firefighters had a lucky escape.

Station Officer Andy Hopkinson said the officer in charge of the operation recognised signs of an imminent roof collapse and withdrew his crews.

He said: "Literally as they were walking through the door, the roof collapsed behind them. They were quite lucky."

The fire was started in bins at the rear of the store just before 10pm and spread quickly to the supermarket, fuelled further when a refrigeration system exploded.

Resident Kirsty Hardy, 18, called the emergency services at about 10.30pm when she saw flames and heard three explosions.

Police said the building and its contents had been severely damaged, and they are appealing for witnesses to call (01904) 669353.