Fire investigators were today attempting to find out the cause of a major blaze which tore through a derelict office block in Laisterdyke, Bradford.

Firefighters from across Bradford district and north Leeds spent more than four hours last night battling the fierce blaze at the former Greenhill Resource Centre in Florence Street, Laisterdyke, Bradford.

At its peak, 45 firefighters from Bradford, Odsal, Idle, Keighley, Stanningley and Gipton were at the scene.

They were scrambled into action after members of the public reported smoke pouring from the roof of the disused Council-owned building at 8.50pm.

A building inspector for Bradford Council was also called to the centre when it looked like the roof would cave in but firefighters managed to save the building from collapsing.

Bradford watch manager Mark Rogerson said: "We were called to reports of a building fire and, as we approached up Leeds Road, there was a huge volume of smoke coming from the top of the building.

"The biggest problem we had was gaining access, because it has not been used for some time and it is all boarded up.

"When we eventually got in, we used breathing apparatus and hose jets to deal with it."

Initial inquiries suggested the fire may have been started by accident.

Watch manager Rogerson said: "We think it is being used by vagrants and it is probably an accidental fire. Fire investigators are trying to find out the cause.

"In the end, we saved the majority of the building, with only about a quarter of it badly damaged and left it in the hands of the Council and the fire investigators."