A BUILDING used as rugby club changing rooms was damaged in an arson attack last night.

Firefighters were called out to Burgess playing fields, in Highfield Lane, Keighley, at 7.15pm.

When crews arrived, smoke was billowing from the building.

"Someone had started a fire outside and the wood in the structure was taking hold," said watch manager Ahsan Ali, of Keighley fire station.

"We had to break into the building to make sure the fire hadn't spread inside.

"Fortunately we caught it early and fire damage was limited to the wall. If flames had spread into the roof space, we would have been looking at a much more serious situation."

Crews from Keighley and Bingley fire stations attended and spent about an hour at the scene.

They used a hose reel jet to tackle the fire and a special high-pressure fan to help clear smoke.

The building is used by Cowling Harlequins amateur rugby league club.

Police were also alerted to the incident.