AN investigation has been launched after a man died after a fire broke out in a suburban block of flats.

The emergency services were alerted by a member of the public shortly before 1am today to a major blaze in properties on North Lane, off Thanet Road, in Dringhouses, York.

After police, fire and ambulance arrived at the scene the flats were evacuated.

A man in his thirties was taken to York Hospital, where he was pronounced dead.

A spokeswoman for North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service said: "Three fire engines from Acomb and York were sent to the scene.

"On their arrival fire crews found a fire in a flat.

"One casualty was rescued from the building and taken to hospital by ambulance.

"At this time a cause for the fire has not yet been established."

A spokesman for North Yorkshire Police said: "The police and fire services are making enquiries to establish the cause of the fire, which is at this time unexplained.