A SUSPECTED arson attack in the early hours of this morning has caused "extensive" damage to a takeaway and adjoining flat in Bradford.

Fire crews from Bradford, Odsal, and Fairweather Green were called to the incident on Great Horton Road just before 3.15am. 

West Yorkshire Police is now investigating the cause of the blaze at the three-storey property.

No-one was injured in the blaze at Mahmoods on Great Horton Road, but the roof of the shop collapsed, and a member of staff said it wouldn't be able to re-open "anytime soon."

Fire investigators initially attended to determine the cause of the incident, but the enquiry was taken up by police after concerns the blaze was started deliberately. 

Great Horton Road was closed for a number of hours between the junctions of St Margaret's Road and All Saints Road. 

A spokesman for the Bradford fire crew said the blaze had caused "extensive" damage to the takeaway and the adjoining flat. 

When the Telegraph & Argus visited the scene, the building was cordoned off by police tape, with debris from the fire seen on the street outside the shop. 

Two windows on the top floor of the building had blown out, and there was a gaping hole in the roof of the property. 

Firefighters could be seen walking in and out of the kitchen at the back of the takeaway, and moving around the top floor of the building, which appeared to have been completely burnt out. 

Salman Khanny, an employee at Mahmoods, was at the shop to help with the clear-up operation. 

He said he had been at working until about 45 minutes before the fire took hold. 

"The takeaway has been damaged, it's really bad," he said. 

"All the roof has come down. 

"I was working until 2.30am and then I got a call from the manager and came down to see all the fire crews here. 
"It's very bad, there are three floors and everything is just broken. 

"There was no-one in the flat, it is empty. 
"We haven't been told anything about the cause of the fire, but I don't think we will be able to open again anytime soon."

A spokesman for West Yorkshire Police said: "Police can confirm they are investigating a fire at a commercial premises and flat in Great Horton Road, Bradford, which is believed to have started at about 3am.

"Anyone with information is asked to contact Bradford District CID on 101, quoting log 127 of March 30, or Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555111."