A LARGE ash tree branch has crashed onto two Incommunities flats in Ravenscliffe this afternoon.

The huge bough came down on the the roof of the flats in Hallwood Green at around 12.30pm.

Resident of one of the flats, Paul Smith, said he was upstairs watching television when he heard a loud crash.

"I thought someone was putting the windows through at first, he said.

"I came out and saw it was part of a big tree which had crashed onto the roof and asked a neighbour to ring for help because my phone isn't working.

"A fire officer has suggested myself and a neighbour at the other side come out of our homes until we know it is safe. We're not sure when that will be," he said.

"They said we may have to move out for tonight but I don't want to leave."

A neighbour at the front of the row of flats, Chris Murray, said he called Incommunities' out of hours service straight away and again at 2.15pm.

"I don't think they realised how big a tree it was when I called the first time," he said adding that he also called the fire service.

"The tree itself is massive and the branch that has fallen is the size of a large tree itself. It needs tree specialists to come and remove it."

Gary Asquith, fire investigation officer for West Yorkshire Fire Authority said he had been called out but it was unlikely the fire service would be attending because there appeared to be no immediate risk to life.

He placed a cordon over a footpath leading underneath the fallen branch so prevent public access.

Mr Murray said contractors went out to the site of the damage and put up props to stop the branch falling any further.

"It looked a bit Heath Robinson in my opinion," he said.

The tree is thought to be growing in an adjacent private garden.