Workers who tried to tackle a machinery fire in a Bradford felt factory were rushed to hospital with smoke inhalation.

Firecrews from Bradford and Odsal were called to a groundfloor blaze at Felt Supplies Ltd on the Wharfedale Business Park near Tong Street at 2.34am today.

Two workers had used portable extinguishers to try and control flames from the faulty machine, but had been beaten back from the blaze which threatened the four-storey building.

“It was much more severe than they could cope with,” said Bradford watch commander Alan Holdsworth.

Concerns that other workers were in the building meant another crew arrived from Bradford and officers carried out a top to bottom sweep of the building.

“We quickly discovered it was in fact empty. Four sets of breathing apparatus and one hose real were used and the fire was under control in 20 minutes,” Mr Holdsworth said.

The two workers who tried to battle the blaze were taken to Bradford Royal Infirmary where they were treated for minor smoke inhalation.