Bradford fire: Former mill fire 'started deliberately'

Image source, WYFRS

Image caption, Fire crews were called from across West Yorkshire to help deal with the fire

A blaze at a former mill in Bradford city centre was started deliberately, fire investigators said.

The fire broke out in the basement of the four-storey building on Rebecca Street, off White Abbey Road, at about 03:40 GMT.

It ripped through the 50m by 75m (164ft by 246ft) structure and reached the roof, with about half the site on fire at one point.

It is not thought anyone was hurt, West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service said.

More on this story and others in West Yorkshire

The basement of the building was being used to store tyres, and the cause of the fire is now being investigated.

At its height, 80 firefighters helped tackled the blaze.

A fire service spokesman said crews managed to prevent the blaze reaching other commercial properties.

Image source, WYFRS

Image caption, Crews managed to contain the mill blaze from reaching other properties

Image source, WYFRS

Image caption, The cause of the fire is being investigated