FIREFIGHTERS have brought a large blaze at the old Unitarian Church, at the junction of Hastings Street and Broadway Avenue, Bradford, under control.

At one point on Wednesday evening six fire engines were at the scene from Bradford, Fairweather Green, Odsal, Cleckheaton and Shipley.

They used aerial appliances to get hose reels to the burning building.

A witness described it as a "major blaze".

They added at around 6.20pm that the building was collapsing and firemen were still battling the flames and smoke.

They said firefighters had told them the smoke was toxic because the building contained asbestos. There were warned to stay indoors and keep their windows closed. 

A spokesman for the fire service said the unstable nature of the building meant they had to fight the fire from the outside and it was too dangerous for anyone to enter.

At 9.30pm, only Bradford fire crews remained in attendance, damping down.

A full investigation is to take place to establish the cause of the blaze.