Man dies after 'gas explosion' destroys house near York

A 63-year-old man has died after a suspected gas explosion obliterated a house in Haxby, near York, police said.

An officer at the scene told reporters that they believe the man is a resident of the address and have informed "various members of his family".

"Formal identification is yet to take place. It will be some time before we can retrieve the body as the scene is still in a state of disarray. We need to be sure everyone is safe before doing that," he added.

Emergency services were called to the detached building this morning.

They said they believed the cause to be a gas explosion but this has not been confirmed yet.