THE owners of a factory warehouse wrecked in an explosion last year are seeking permission to demolish and rebuild it, creating five jobs.

Two women workers, aged 19 and 35, were trapped inside the Range manufacturing company in Parry Lane after a blast caused part of the warehouse to collapse on November 23 last year.

The explosion, believed to have been caused by a faulty forklift truck, left the building beyond repair and at risk of complete collapse, Bradford planners have been told as part of the planning application.

The report by surveyor Paul Parkinson on behalf of Range bosses David Pattison and Lee Pattison says the company pair had tried to find another site to relocate to but their search was unsuccessful, leading them back to Parry Lane.

However, before the explosion, they had already realised the then two-storey factory building was not fit for purpose, according to the report which outlines design plans for a replacement building.

If the new building is approved it would be a single storey with an on-site car park, dedicated space for a cycle shed and area for waste storage and collection.

Reassurances have also been made in the report that traffic to and from the site would not be increased and the structure itself would be built vandal-proof with solid external doors and steel cladding making it easier to remove graffiti.

"The replacement building is a necessity to ensure the site does not appear squalid to attract crime," states the report which adds: "You should also consider the replacement structure is required for the current owners to maintain production on this site.

"This in term means the retention of jobs and possible future opportunities."

The explosion led to 40 people being evacuated from adjoining premises on the industrial site and the Health & Safety Executive was informed.

Range is a leading manufacturer of steel pallets, trolleys and other steel fabrications.

Numerous emergency response vehicles were sent to the scene including Yorkshire Ambulance Service NHS Trust's Hazardous Area Response Team (HART).

The two women who had been trapped suffered minor injuries and had to be checked out by paramedics at the scene. Search and rescue dogs were also deployed to check no-one else was trapped.