Firefighters are investigating a blaze which swept through the roof of an engineering shed.

The spectacular fire, which gutted the singlestorey building in Russell Street, Keighley, broke out at about 10.30pm on Monday.

At its height, about 40 firefighters tackled the outbreak at Coney Lane Welding.

First on the scene were crews from Keighley but the fire was so fierce fire chiefs sent for re-enforcements from Bingley, Silsden, Haworth and Shipley.

Keighley Fire Station Watch Commander Van Galtress said the crews battled with the blaze for some time and had to remain on the scene damping down until 3am on Tuesday.

About a quarter of the property’s interior was damaged by the flames and smoke, as well as half the roof.

Capturing the outbreak on camera was art student Claire Owlett, 19, of Russell Street, who smelled smoke in her nearby home and dashed out.

“It was an amazing sight against the night sky especially when the roof came alight,” said Miss Owlett, a former pupil of Parkside School.

“At one time I could hear what sounded like fireworks going off but I think they were gas cylinders.

“We were also told to get together bags for the night in case we had to be evacuated, but it never came to that.

“BT landlines were down throughout the night as the fire was next door to the BT switchboard and there was a fear of electrical equipment being damaged.”

The engineering works has been in Russell Street about ten years having been founded 30 years ago in Coney Lane.

Four people are employed by the company.