A block of flats became smoke-logged when a blaze in the complex's outside bin store sent plumes of smoke billowing up the rubbish shoot into the 12-storey building.

The fire broke out at about 2.45pm in bins at the side of Windsor Court, off Manchester Road, Bradford.

Firefighters from Bradford, who tackled the blaze, believe the fire could have been started by a cigarette butt that was not extinguished.

Some residents evacuated the building voluntarily and it took more than half an hour for firemen to clear smoke from the flats.