A FAMILY had to be rescued from their home and police are investigating a fire that took place on Washington Street, Girlington, in early hours of Wednesday morning.

Crew commander Nathan Walker, from Fairweather Green fire station, said the fire service was called to the scene of four car fires at 1.20am.

He said: "Four cars on four drives, all of which were next to each other, were set on fire. We don't know how but it was deliberate.

"There was also damage to one of the proerties and neighbours had to break the door down to rescue them before we got there.

"Smoke filled the house completely but the young family managed to escape.

"An ambulance came to the scene and assessed them but they were ok.

"There was only smoke and heat damage to the ground floor of the house.

"But all four cars, one of which was on nearby Back Street, were engulfed in fire when we got there. It took us 20 minutes to put out the car fires."

Two appliances, one from Fairweather Green fire station and one from Bradford fire station, were scrambled to the scene along with other emergency services.

Enquiries into the incident are ongoing and the investigation is being treated as an arson by police.
A Bradford ward councillor has spoken of his "shock" about the incident.
Cllr Kamran Hussain (Lab, Toller ward) said: "Obviously it's shocking what has happened.
"I'm constantly working to make sure this kind of thing doesn't happen.
"But this investigation by the police is ongoing and I would urge anyone with any further information to contact them."

Anyone who witnessed anything suspicious in the are is asked to contact the police via 101 quoting crime reference number 13200627059.

Information can also be passed to Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.