POLICE are investigating a seventh floor blaze at a block of flats in Bingley last night.
At its peak 25 firefighters were at the scene at Peel House in Crosley Wood Road after an automatic alarm triggered the emergency response.
Smoke was pouring from the shattered end window of the high rise corridor when firecrews from Bingley, Fairweather Green, Idle, Bradford and Keighley arrived just after 8pm.
An emergency operator gave fire survival guidance to a man, believed to be in his 40s, who was the only person occupying a flat on that floor. He was told to stay where he was and wait to be rescued.
Firefighters wearing breathing apparatus used two large jets to tackle the flames coming from a bed and mattress left in the corridor which was believed to have been deliberately torched, said Bingley watch commander Jason Bentley.
The crews set up their rescue procedure from the fifth floor, walking up the last two flights with the jets.
Toxic black smoke that was filling the corridor had been contained from the stairwell and the man's flat by fireproof doors and walls at the Incommunities-owned property.
Mr Bentley added: "The man remained calm throughout."
Scenes of crime officers were still at the scene at 7.45am today, said a police spokesman.
A 50-year-old woman was arrested this morning on suspicion of arson.
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