A former church in Bradford is set to be demolished after inspectors reportedly deemed the building unsafe. 

The unused chapel, based at 114 Undercliffe Road, was destroyed by a large fire throughout Monday evening.

West Yorkshire Police has since launched an investigation into the cause of the fire after the incident was classed as deliberate.

In a statement, a spokesperson for Bradford Council said: “Officers from our building control service inspected the building on Monday.

Bradford Telegraph and Argus: Photos via Thomas Crompton show the demolition of the former church on Undercliffe Road taking place.Photos via Thomas Crompton show the demolition of the former church on Undercliffe Road taking place.

“The fire has rendered it unsafe so it will shortly be demolished and cleared by the owner.”

The demolition will be carried out today (Wednesday, April 27) by the team at Thomas Crompton.

It comes after a T&A reader poll showed an overwhelming majority of people were against demolition of the church (81 per cent).

Just 19 per cent of the 538 participants said they would support demolition.

The T&A understands the fire began around 3.30pm on the first floor before spreading upwards.

Anyone with information is asked to contact police on 101, quoting log 1242 of April 25.

Despite the fire ravaging most of the roof, West Yorkshire Fire & Rescue removed any remaining roof slates to enable the fire to vent through the roof.

It also made it safer for passers by at risk of falling slates.

Earlier this month, a planning application to demolish the church and build shops and industrial units in its place had been submitted to Bradford Council.

The chapel, based at 114 Undercliffe Road, had most recently been used as a workshop.

Speaking after the incident on Tuesday, Si Cunningham, the councillor for Bolton & Undercliffe, said: "I’m aware that the building was subject to a recent planning application, and due process will be followed as it should be with any planning matter."