North Tyneside Council said the incident happened in Blandford Way, Wallsend, where insulation work is being carried out on a number of homes.

Safety inspectors are looking at the possibility that a gas fire flue may have become blocked while the work was being carried out.

The tenant, Ronald Wafer, is being treated at North Tyneside General Hospital where his condition is described as "satisfactory".

I will be writing to all residents in the area to reassure them and express my concern at this incident

Mayor Chris Morgan

A private contractor has been carrying out cavity wall and loft insulation work on behalf of the council.

All work has been suspended while a team of council gas fitters carries out safety checks at neighbouring houses.

North Tyneside Mayor Chris Morgan said: "All insulation work has been stopped until our investigation is complete.

Potential risk

"Health and safety officers from the council will be working with gas board engineers and other experts to establish exactly what happened.

"In the meantime, I will be writing to all residents in the area to reassure them and express my concern at this incident."

A council spokesman said: "We have contacted about 30 tenants where there was a potential risk.

"At this stage, it appears the problem is confined to one house."