Investigations are continuing this morning after a fatal house fire in Bradford last night.

A 68-year-old man died in the blaze at a house in Wibsey.

Police and firefighters were called to an address in Croft Street at about 5.30pm yesterday after a fire broke out at a property.

On entering the house, the emergency services found the body of the man, police said.

He was confirmed to have died at the scene.

It is not believed anyone else was in the property at the time the incident took place.

Detective Inspector Gary Stephenson, of West Yorkshire Police, said: "Enquiries are ongoing into this incident with West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service to establish the cause of this fire.

"At this stage, however, we do not believe there were any suspicious circumstances.

"Anyone who saw the fire break out or has information about the incident is asked to contact Bradford District CID on 101."

Earlier, neighbours had broken down the back door of the property but had been met by fierce flames When the Telegraph & Argus visited the scene last night, severe damage could be seen to a two-storey house on Croft Street, with the front of the building turned black as a result of the blaze.

A canopy had been erected to cover a smashed ground-floor door and window, with damage also evident to the rear of the house.

Croft Street and Sharp Street were cordoned off, with three police vans, a scientific support vehicle, and a fire engine in attendance, later joined by a private ambulance.

A member of staff from Wibsey Spice, on the corner of Sharp Street, who did not wish to be named, said would-be rescuers had tried to break down the back door of the house when they realised it was on fire.

"I saw the smoke billowing out and ran outside," he said. "A group of people kicked the back door through and there were flames coming out.

"I have no idea what has caused it.

"There is a disabled gentleman that lives there.

"He's always in the house, so I presume he was in, although the police haven't told me for definite.

"He was an oldish man, and I knew him to say hello and good morning to, asking how he was.

"It's very sad."

One local woman said she had been told by people at the scene that an elderly man inside the house had died in the blaze.

"My mum lives on Sharp Street, but we can't get back to her flat," she said.

"Apparently the man inside has died.

"I didn't know him, but I think he lived on his own, and I'm not sure whether he had any family.

"It's awful what has happened."

Another resident whose daughter lives on Sharp Street said: "We set off at 5pm to take the dog out, and everything was quiet.

"When we came back around 45 minutes later, you couldn't get to any of the streets, they had all been cordoned off.

"I've only lived here for a couple of years, and I don't know who lived in the house.

"The fire must have gone up so quick."