Fire chiefs warned that children who start fires could be creating their own death-traps after a blaze gutted a church in Bradford.

It is believed children may have been responsible for the blaze at St Margaret's church hall in Upper Rushton Road, Thornbury, on Saturday night.

Three boys were seen running from the building which used to be the main church before a new one was built alongside and opened earlier this year.

It took four fire crews from Bradford, Pudsey and Idle about an hour to bring the blaze under control.

They remained at the scene into the evening, removing slates from the roof to check no parts were still burning.

Bradford fire station officer David Swales said it appeared that children got in through a window and started the fire near the stage in the hall which spread to the roof in minutes.

"A tremendous amount of damage has been done. This was a severe fire even by our standards," he said.

"Fire can travel fast and there's the potential for children who light fires in buildings to get stuck inside with the obvious consequences."

Church warden Steven Ingham said: "It's heartbreaking because that hall's got a lot of memories for me.

"My wife and I had our vows renewed there last year."

Mr Ingham said costumes and scenery used for pantomimes and church memorabilia had been destroyed.

He said the building, which is due to be demolished to make way for a car park and garden of rest, was a target for vandalism.

Eyewitness Mehreen Yakub, 18, who lives a few doors from the church, said: "I was doing my homework when I heard a window break.

"I looked out and saw smoke coming out of the windows of the hall and flames coming out of the roof. It was a bit frightening."

Police were today interviewing a boy about the fire.

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