More than 40 firefighters were called to a blaze at a fireworks warehouse in Bradford today.

Crews arrived at the Mr Fireworks premises in Grattan Road to find rockets whizzing out of smashed windows towards the city centre.

Police cordoned off side streets in the area surrounding the two-storey building.

Crews from Bradford, Odsal, Fairweather Green, Odsal and Keighley were called to the fire in the two-storey building at 4.48am and used two aerial appliances, six pumps and a fire cannon to bring it under control.

Incident commander Keith Robinson, said: " When we arrived there was a severe fire in the building which contained 2.5 tonnes of fireworks.

"When the crews got here we had fireworks projecting around 100ft into the air coming straight out of the window towards the city centre.

"It was very dangerous for the firefighters." Mr Fireworks sells Roman candles, Catherine wheels, fountains, as well as barrage fireworks such as screaming demons, and resurrection.

He added: "If the fire had got to the adjoining buildings then it would be a lot more serious but due to the professionalism of the firefighters involved we managed to contain it to a single building."

"The damage is just to one room and it is quite extensive.

"If you imaging 2.5tonnes of fireworks in your front room all going off together, you would have a very serious incident in your house."

Amanda Chapman, who owns The Sandwich Shop next door to Mr Fireworks, was getting ready for her daughters 16th birthday party when she heard about the fire.

She said firework deliveries to the warehouse had increased recently and added: "There have been a lot of deliveries because it is bonfire night and Eid soon.

"But as far as I am aware they were all kept in metal containers."

Mrs Chapman said: "I do no know what will happen to my business now.

"I don't even know if they've cut the gas off.

"And I've had a call from the bakery informing me they can't deliver my bread because of the police cordons."

Mr Richards said: "Crews will be here for a considerable time damping down and making sure there are no hotspots in the building that could ignite further fireworks and cause further damage."

A spokesman for the West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service said it was investigating the cause of the fire.