A BRADFORD family's children have been 'brought to tears' after a fire gutted their home and a cannabis farm was discovered next door.

Four fire engines and an aerial appliance were called at 12.21pm on Sunday to reports of a house fire at Springs Meadow, Thornton.

The fire took over two hours to extinguish and a relative whose family lived there has spoken out after it has been revealed that a cannabis farm was growing in the property next door.

A spokesperson from West Yorkshire Police said: "Police are investigating after a cannabis grow was found following a fire at an address in Springs Meadow yesterday afternoon."

Chloe Barron, 20, said the fire left her mother, stepdad and three young children without a home.  The family escaped with the clothes on their back.

Miss Barron, who lives nearby, said: "My mum was putting my little brother to bed when the fire broke out.

"The roof caved in. There was a lot of water and burn damage.

"A neighbour was growing cannabis. We were told it was being grown in the kitchen, four bedrooms and in the attic."

Miss Barron said that the her mum's family escaped to safety but have little left after the fire service salvaged only a bootfull of items from the home.

"There were only a few old clothes and the children didn't have any coats or shoes when they got out.

"There are no toys now. My brother and sister cried all day yesterday. It's been overwhelming for them.

"It hasn't hit my mother yet, but she's got to start all over again.

Miss Barron said her family will staying with a relative as Bradford Council works with the family on finding them another place to rent.

She also said the landlord "wants to get on with rebuilding and redecorating the home" so the family can stay there again.

The worst of the damage was to the roof, which collapsed, the attic, a second floor bedroom and the living room.

Miss Barron started a GoFundMe appeal on Sunday to raise money to help her mum's family and it has already raised more than £700 at the time of writing.

She also said that a lot of friends and family in Thornton village provided coats and shoes for the children and books for them to read.

She said her family has been touched by the community's response.

"It shows that a lot of of people in Thornton village are so nice and very caring."

Miss Barron said her family will staying with a relative as Bradford Council works with the family on finding them another place to rent.

She also said the landlord "wants to get on with rebuilding and redecorating the home" so the family can stay there again.

The worst of the damage was to the roof, which collapsed, the attic, a second floor bedroom and the living room.

Miss Barron started a GoFundMe appeal on Sunday to raise money to help her mum's family and it has already raised more than £700 at the time of writing.

She also said that a lot of friends and family in Thornton village provided coats and shoes for the children and books for them to read.

She said her family has been touched by the community's response.

"It shows that a lot of of people in Thornton village are so nice and very caring."

To donate to the appeal, click here.