A BRADFORD business owner spoke out today about a “devastating” fire which gutted his shisha lounge at the weekend, as dramatic images of the inferno emerged.
Emergency services were called to the scene near a large disused mill just off Listerhills Road, Bradford, just after 6am on Saturday. Firefighters battled a blaze which saw large plumes of smoke billow into the air.
At the height of the fire, the smoke was visible across much of Bradford city centre and beyond.
A dramatic fire ripped through a shisha lounge business on Hey Street in Bradford on Saturday (Image: UGC)
The Telegraph & Argus has been sent a dramatic video and images showing flames consuming the shisha lounge, which is located on Hey Street and backs onto a large derelict mill building.
The owner of the shisha lounge also shared a video and images showing the extensive damage to the inside of his business, including charred tables, chairs, flooring and beams.
“It damaged the whole building of my shisha bar,” said Azhar Iqbal, owner of AABAN Lounge Ltd, on Hey Street.
“It’s definitely devastating,” said Mr Iqbal. “It’s damaged everything completely.
"The outside of the building survived but everything inside, including all my stock, is damaged completely.
“I closed my business the night before and when I came in the building was on fire.
“I’ve totally lost everything, including sofas, tables, LEDs, everything in the kitchen,” he said. “I’m feeling too much stress now.
“I want to know how it happen, so I’m asking if anyone has seen anything to come forward.
“We don’t know yet who set the fire, but I’m waiting for a police response.”
Fire and police investigators have determined that the fire was "started deliberately" in a pile of rubbish next to a business on Hey Street and caused damage to the premises as well as a neighbouring business.
Police are investigating the blaze and have determined it is arson.
In a full statement on Saturday, a spokesperson for West Yorkshire Police said: "At 6.49am on Saturday, police were contacted by the fire service requesting assistance with scene management for a large fire in Listerhills Road, Bradford.
"It was established the fire had started in a pile of rubbish next to a business in Hey Street and caused damage to the premises and a neighbouring business.
"The fire is believed to have been started deliberately and is being treated as arson.
"Anyone who witnessed any suspicious activity in the vicinity or who has any information that could assist the investigation is asked to contact officers via 101 quoting crime reference number 13240349980 or online via westyorkshire.police.uk/livechat"
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