A taxi boss whose base was gutted in a suspected arson attack is counting his blessings after spending a night on the tiles instead of sleeping in his office as usual.

Fire crews were called to Wharfe Valley Private Hire, Greenholme Mills, Burley-in-Wharfedale, at around 7am yesterday.

Luckily Richard Angus, a partner in the firm, said he had spent the night at home in Bradford Road, Shipley, after a night out - instead of bedding down at the offices.

Although the attack caused serious damage, the phone lines survived and the company is still up and running.

But equipment and trophies in the adjoining office of Rascals, the football coaching firm run by Mr Angus, were severely damaged.

Mr Angus, 44, said: "It could have been me in that fire. It was very scary realising that. The early driver who came down thought I was in there and he must have really panicked.

"I normally sleep there after a shift but I took the night off and went to Bradford.

"What is really sad is that all the football equipment I used to train children in the area has been destroyed. They're going to suffer most in all this."

Fire crews from Otley, Rawdon and Ilkley helped put out the fire.

A spokesman for West Yorkshire Police confirmed the fire was being treated as suspicious and urged anyone with information to call in.

Witnesses or anyone who knows anything about the attack should ring Keighley Police on (01535) 617059.

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