A BLAZE at a Bradford warehouse, one of the biggest fires in the city in the past 12 months, was an arson.

At its height, the fire at Eastwood Works, on Eastwood Street off Wakefield Road, was attended by 48 firefighters, including crews from six fire stations across West Yorkshire.

It took them eight hours to bring the blaze under control.

The incident happened on March 26, but more details of the fire, including the fact that it was started deliberately, have just been revealed as part of a report into the biggest fires in West Yorkshire between March 2019 and April 2020.

Police have yet to make an arrest over the arson.

Rise in numbers of house fires in Bradford - but there is a big drop in arson incidents

West Yorkshire Fire Authority's Community Safety Committee will be given an update on the fire service's performance over the past year at an online meeting on Friday.

They will hear details of all fires that were attended by six or more engines in this period.

It includes information that has previously not been made public on major fires between January and the end of March.

Eastwood Works was built in the late 19th Century, and was used as a warehouse for the textile industry.

Much of the building was vacant at the time of the fire.

On the fire at the building, the report says: "At the height of the incident a make pumps eight message was received by Control and appliances from the following stations were mobilised; Odsal, Fairweather Green, Cleckheaton, Stanningley, Morley, Rawdon.

"The following support appliances were also mobilised; the Personnel Welfare Unit from Skelmanthorpe, the Hose Laying Unit and support from Mirfield, the Command Unit and assistants from Featherstone, an Aerial from Halifax and Leeds and the Drone from Headquarters.

"The cause is thought to be a heat source and combustibles brought together deliberately."

When asked for an update on the investigation, a West Yorkshire Police spokesman said: "Noone was injured as a result of the incident and was treated as arson.

"Enquiries including examination of CCTV was conducted at the time.

"No arrests have been made.

"Anyone who may have witnessed anything suspicious in the area or has any information is asked to contact the police via 101 quoting crime reference number 13200153401 or information can be passed to Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111."

The Fire Authority report reveals that a blaze at Deer Hill Moor in Marsden was by far the biggest fire in West Yorkshire in the past year.

Started by "controlled burning getting out of control" on March 23, the fire saw 114 firefighters called to the moor from across West Yorkshire and as far as Greater Manchester. It took over 24 hours to bring the fire under control.

The next biggest fire was at Speedibake in Wakefield.

Taking place on the afternoon of Saturday February 1, the fire started in a proofing oven, which then spread to nearby combustible items.

Tanks of palm oil became involved which assisted in fire spread.

At its height 102 firefighters were mobilised to deal with the fire.

Another major fire included in the latest figures was at the After Dark nightclub in Wakefield on March 29.

Attended by 64 firefighters, the incident has been classed as arson, and was caused by a deliberate fire in a bin store which spread to upper floors through gaps and voids.

The committee meets virtually on Friday morning.