A plain-clothed police officer saved the day when fire hit a Keighley clothing store.

Police are investigating following the blaze at Ethel Austin, in Low Street, last week.

A small amount of clothing was ablaze when the policeman dashed inside the shop before two pumps from Keighley Fire Station arrived on the scene.

An Ethel Austin employee said: "There were three workers and about ten customers in the shop at the time.

"It was a customer that alerted the person on the till of a fire.

"It was mainly men's underwear and got quite bad, and at one stage the flames were reaching the ceiling - it was very scary.

"Staff quickly grabbed the fire extinguishers and gathered customers outside the building but then this passer-by asked what was going on.

"He then flashed a police badge and dashed in to help.

"Without his help, it could have been a lot more serious, and if this chap hadn't helped I don't know what would have happened.

"The staff are all very grateful to him."

After closing up for the day, the Ethel Austin shop re-opened last Friday.

The employee continued: "It's really daunting to think someone came into a town centre store and set us on fire.

"It's getting worse and worse working in Keighley town centre now - and people need to be made aware of this and what they're up against.

"People are getting physical and verbal abuse all the time.

"A couple of weeks ago, an employee at Ethel Austin was verbally assaulted at one of the tills and then when she went out to lunch, the customer was waiting for her.

"It's just getting worse and worse and the wardens certainly aren't making any difference."

All workers and customers escaped unhurt.

A spokesman for Ethel Austin said: "We can confirm that staff dealt with a small fire among a section of stock at the Keighley store.

"A member of the public who had been outside the store when the alarm was raised came in to help staff put out the fire.

"The local police and fire brigade have begun their own investigations into the cause of the fire.

"Ethel Austin is co-operating fully with both inquiries."

He added that CCTV footage from outside the store was now being examined.

Keighley Fire Station sub officer Chris Knox said: "The alarm was raised by members of staff, but a passer-by put the fire out using three fire extinguishers that were in the shop.

"If he hadn't been around the fire would definitely have developed and spread."

A spokesman for the police said the fire was being treated as suspicious. Anyone with details can call Keighley Police on 01535 617059.