A FIRE which gutted part of a former Keighley school could have been prevented if the site had not been allowed to become derelict, according to a councillor.

Keighley West ward councillor Brian Morris said the extensive damage inflicted on the Branshaw School site by suspected arsonists last weekend was "tragic", and should have been foreseen.

"This was something that was just waiting to happen," he added. "The buildings have been left to go to wrack and ruin."

Fire crews from Bingley and Silsden were called out to the former Branshaw School, in Nashville Street, off Oakworth Road at around 4pm last Sunday.

When they arrived they found one of the classroom buildings was ablaze. Despite their efforts, the building was left badly damaged. Fire crews believe the fire was started deliberately.

After ward councillor Adrian Farley complained about the condition of the former school site in July 2014, Bradford Council said it was taking steps to ensure the land was being kept secure.

Responding this week to the latest blaze, Cllr Farley said: "It is a concern when mindless vandals do something like this. It's not good, and I did fear it could happen.

"If the buildings have to go then they need to be demolished in a safe, and controlled manner."

Cllr Farley said the management of the site is currently in the hands of Bradford Council's adult social care team.

"That department was looking at demolishing the school buildings and developing some kind of supported living facility for people with learning disabilities," he said.

"I was only at that site about three or four weeks ago to meet residents and look at what could be done to have the land tided up and trees cut back.

"We were in the process of planning for the Community Payback team to carry out some of the work."

Keighley West councillor Cath Bacon said the site was in a treacherous condition, and warned that anyone who trespasses on risks serious injury.

"The main building is still standing, but only just," she said. "If I was playing football there, I wouldn't want to kick a ball against its walls. It isn't safe.

"I appreciate the land does need to be cleared up, then brought back into use as soon as possible. It's been disused for long enough.

"This fire is yet another example of our local resources being stretched. The single Keighley fire engine could easily have been needed at a house fire instead."

A Bradford Council spokesman said: “We've been working to assess the damage caused by last Sunday's fire at the site of the former Branshaw school. "The structure of the main building has not been affected by the fire, but the temporary class rooms have been significantly damaged.

"We have put arrangements in place to secure the property and will be looking to demolish and clear the area as quickly as possible. This has not affected the plans for the redevelopment of site.”

The Branshaw special school closed in April 2010, when pupils were transferred to Phoenix School in Braithwaite. Since the closure, residents and ward councillors have raised concerns about anti-social behaviour and fly-tipping on the land.

There was also a fire on the school grounds in August 2015.