A MAN is fighting for his life after suffering serious burns in a house fire in Runcorn.

The 25-year-old was taken to Whiston Hospital after a fierce blaze swept through a house on Stone Barn Lane in Palacefields at 3.20pm yesterday.

Cheshire Police and Cheshire Fire Brigade have launched an investigation into the cause of the fire which destroyed the roof and first floor of the property.

A Cheshire Police spokesman said today: “A man aged 25 remains in a critical condition.

“Police are not seeking anyone else in connection with their enquiries.”

Three ambulances, five rapid response vehicles and an air ambulance attended the scene.

A spokesman for North West Ambulance Service NHS Trust said: “We sent a lot of resources to the scene as we were told it was a possible gas explosion.”

Residents were evacuated as firefighters fought the blaze.

Gas and electricity engineers carried out surveys.

An aerial appliance was used to clear loose debris from the area.

Following a structural assessment by building control, the house was declared as unsafe to enter.

Inspections were carried out externally using thermal imaging cameras to make sure there were no further areas of heat or fire.