FIRE CREWS are this morning still at the scene of a fire which destroyed an industrial premises off Thornton Road, Bradford.

The fire destroyed buildings on Water Lane behind Norcroft Street, yesterday afternoon.

They were believed to have housed car painting and tyre businesses.

Firefighters have maintained a presence at the scene overnight and are continuing damping down operations.

The cause is not yet known and fire investigators were returning to the site in daylight today. An aerial unit and officers are in attendance.

Eight fire engines were scrambled to the scene, after a building with an asbestos sheeting roof caught fire in what is a largely industrial area. They arrived to find a 25×25 metre building 100 per cent involved in fire.

The blaze sent thick black smoke billowing into the sky and could be seen for many miles.

Residents were advised to keep their windows shut.

One resident said the smell of smoke was strong in Barkerend, while another said it could be seen from Baildon.

Julian Steel, of Andante Freight, next to the site of the fire, said they were largely unaffected by the incident and were operating normally today with the addition of two fire engines in their yard.

He said: "We weren't affected at all. We had the wind on our side, pushing the flames towards the city centre.

"We had no damage."

He said the buildings across Water Lane from his depot housed a car painting garage and a tyre business but he had few dealings with the firms.