A superstore is counting the cost of a suspected arson attack.

A stack of plastic bakers’ trays and cardboard boxes was set alight outside the Tesco Extra in Great Horton Road, Bradford.

The flames were so fierce, the heat damaged an emergency generator room, firefighters said yesterday.

Fire crews from Odsal and Bradford were called to the blaze at about 7.30pm on Sunday.

Odsal watch commander Andy Mason said: “The fire is under investigation – it is looking suspicious.”

A spokesman for Tesco said: ‘We were made aware that a fire had been started outside the back of our Bradford store on Sunday evening and our colleagues called the fire service immediately.

“They quickly arrived and put out the fire, which had caused some damage to a nearby fence.”