A MILL in Bradford has been badly damaged in a blaze attended by over 80 firefighters this morning.

A fire was reported in a four storey mill building on Rebecca Street at 3.38am.

It has been revealed this afternoon that it is being treated as a suspected arson.

Half of the building, which measures 50 metres by 75 metres, was alight when fire crews arrived. Fifteen fire engines attended the scene.

Five large jets and two aerial apparatus units were used while the crews attempted to control the fire.

The fire started in the building's basement, which was being used to store tyres.

Although the mill building has been gutted, fire crews were able to prevent the blaze from spreading to neighbouring commercial properties.

There have been no reports of injuries, or people in the building at the time of the fire.

The building is occupied by YA & Co Solicitors, an accountants firm and a tyre dealership.

Yasmeen Akhter, who runs YA & Co and owns the mill building, told the Telegraph & Argus it had only been refurbished earlier this year.

She described the fire as "devastating" and told her clients that they hoped to get up and running in alternative premises as soon as possible.

However, she hoped they would be able to return to the building, depending on how badly it is damaged.

The number of firefighters at the scene has now been reduced.

Area Manager for Fire Safety Chris Kirby was on the scene throughout the early hours.

He said: “Fire crews have dealt effectively with the fire overnight and the incident has now been scaled down to three fire engines with firefighters remaining in attendance to ensure any pockets of fire are extinguished.”

Fire investigation will be on scene today and working alongside West Yorkshire Police to determine the cause of the fire.

Mr Kirby added: “The economic impact of a serious fire on businesses is significant and it is rare that a business re-opens following a serious fire.

“Sadly the section of the mill that has been heavily involved in fire is badly damaged but due to the swift actions of crews we have managed to save a large proportion of the building and reduce the detrimental economic impact this fire could have had.”

Fire crews left the scene at 5.10pm today.