Firefighters today paid tribute to staff at a Baildon nursing home who led residents to safety after a serious blaze broke out last night.

Crews were called to the Holden Grange nursing home in Holden Lane, Baildon, at 11.13pm after staff raised the alarm.

The fire, which started in a first-floor bedroom, is believed to have started accidentally after a resident was smoking.

As the blaze intensified, staff evacuated the building and a crew of four firefighters brought the fire under control.

The blaze was confined to the bedroom which suffered heavy smoke damage, and some furniture was destroyed.

A spokesman for Shipley fire station praised nurse in charge Angelina Standern and carer Hasam Shar for their efforts.

He said: "The staff did an exceptional job. They got all the residents to safety and even tried to tackle the blaze themselves."

Patrick Berry, nurse manager and proprietor, said the blaze had been caused by a cigarette, despite a strict no-smoking policy in bedrooms.