A FIRE at a food preparation unit in Bradford has been confirmed as an arson attack. 

Around half of Mahmoods industrial unit, Duncombe Street, was affected by the fire.

The blaze started in the storage area of the open plan building.

A West Yorkshire Police spokesman confirmed the incident is being treated as arson. 

An aerial appliance was also used to tackle the fire, which destroyed the building's roof.

Fire crews from Fairweather Green, Bradford, Idle, Shipley and Odsal were called to the incident at just after 11pm yesterday.

Mahmoods and a car garage next door were both smoke logged.

No-one was injured or suffered any smoke inhalation in the incident.

Watch commander Michael Smith, of Fairweather Green Fire Station, said: "We were there for around five hours.

"About 50 per cent of the building was affected by the fire.

"The fire had gone through the roof in the first few minutes that we had arrived. The flames started coming through the roof."

A West Yorkshire Police spokesman said: "Enquiries are still in their early stages, but if anyone saw any suspicious activity in the area at around 11pm on Wednesday, they can contact Bradford District CID on 101, quoting crime reference 13160572586, or report anonymously to Crimestoppers on 0800 555111."

MORE TOP STORIES