A GARAGE used for storage by a Bradford shop is thought to have been torched by arsonists.

The blaze destroyed many items including washing and sewing machines kept at the back of Misam Sewing Centre, in Whetley Lane, Whetley Hill.

Fire crews from Fairweather Green and Bradford were called at around 8.30pm on Wednesday.

Safidar Hussain, who works at Misam Sewing Centre, said: "Thankfully, nobody was at the shop at the time.

"We kept some old machines in the garage."

A flat above the garage was evacuated.

Mohammed Sajjad, 50, said: "I was totally unaffected by it, I didn't feel a thing.

"It was concentrated inside the garage.

"I did not hear anything. I did not see any flames. I just saw the smoke coming out of the garage.

"I was frightened and very, very scared when the firefighters broke my door to get me out."

Watch Commander Jonny Earl, of Fairweather Green fire station, said: "The garage was well alight when we got there.

"The case is still being investigated but it looks like a deliberate ignition."

A West Yorkshire Police spokesman said the incident was being treated as a suspected arson.

Anyone with any further information is urged to call Crimestoppers on 0800 555111 or the 101 police number.

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