The demolition of a historic former cinema began yesterday after it was gutted by fire.

At the height of the inferno in Shipley on Thursday, 60 firefighters were tackling the flames.

The blaze led to the collapse of the floors in the 1930s building, which used to be the Glen Royal cinema.

As demolition work began yesterday, firefighters were on stand-by in case any more flames were discovered.

Watch commander Phil Warden said demolition contractors brought in by the site’s owners began taking down the structure yesterday.

He said: “We were there for cover, mainly in case any fire was contained inside.

“We were there all day. There was a bit of smoke in the morning, but when the weather started getting really cold it died down.

“We didn’t have to extinguish anything.”

The cause of the fire is being investigated by the fire service and police.