A FAULTY fridge freezer sparked a major house fire in Bradford in the early hours of this morning. 

Crews from Bradford and Idle were called to an address in Fitzroy Road, Barkerend, just after midnight after initial reports that a fuse box had caught fire. 

Bradford watch commander Mark Rogerson said the occupants of the house had been alerted by smoke alarms and seen smoke underneath the door of their cellar. 

Despite the ground floor filling with smoke, they managed to escape safely before crews arrived. 

"The fire spread extremely rapidly," said Mr Rogerson. 

"It started in the cellar, but spread to a kitchen extension and dining area which has been completely gutted. 

"All of the downstairs of the house is fire or smoke-damaged, and the upstairs has also suffered smoke damage. The house is unlivable. 

"Everyone got out ok, but there was so much smoke even smoke alarms in the neighbouring properties were going off. 

"Crews will remain in the area over the next few days fitting smoke detectors and giving safety advice."

Fire investigators have already visited the scene and determined that the fire was caused by a fault in a fridge freezer stored at the top of the steps down to the cellar. 

Crews used six breathing apparatus and two hose reels to tackle the blaze.