Three homes were evacuated after a fire caused a gas leak at a house in Bradford.

The blaze, which started in a wheelie bin and spread to a shed and fence, damaged the gas and electricity supply to a property on Raikes Avenue, Holme Wood.

Firefighters from Bradford and Odsal stations were called at 1.10am today. A spokesman said: “There was quite a severe gas leak from their main supply.

“We put the fire out, but an ember ignited the gas leak. There was quite a substantial flame front coming out of the gas pipe.”

The couple in the affected house, a family, and a man - who was praised for tackling the fire with water before crews arrived - were evacuated from their homes while firefighters waited for gas engineers to arrive at the scene to isolate the supply.

The spokesman advised homeowners to position bins away from their property, and also away from the gas and electric supply and windows, just in case they are set on fire.

The cause of the fire is under investigation, but it is believed to have been started deliberately.