Update on fire-hit Leeds Road shop Heaton Motor Factors

Earlier this summer, crews from across West Yorkshire scrambled to Heaton Motor Factors on Leeds Road.

Smoke was pouring from the building and explosions could be heard as firefighters tackled the blaze at midday on June 12.

Both floors of the auto parts store were engulfed in flames, and emergency services were heard telling the public to "get back" amid the dangerous scenes.

Smoke billowed from the building as the fire took hold (Image: Newsquest)

The fire investigation team recorded the blaze as "undetermined".

When the Telegraph & Argus visited the building this week, the scaffolding had been removed, revealing the extent of the damage. 

There was a huge emergency services response (Image: Newsquest)

Bradford Council has said the building's owner is planning to replace the floor and roof, and restore the shop to how it was before the fire.

Maz Amin, who ran Heaton Motor Factors from the premises, has spoken of his devastation at seeing his shop of 24 years go up in flames.

An aerial platform fought the fire from height (Image: Newsquest)

He's hoping he will be able to go back to the Leeds Road site but is currently at his dad's shop in Manningham. 

He told the Telegraph & Argus: "I want to go back but I do not know if I am able to go back there or not.

"It (the fire) took everything I had there. I have not been told yet if I will be going back in.

"It was devastating. We had been there for 24 years. We always had good times with the customers.

Firefighters at the scene (Image: Newsquest)

"I am down at my dad's shop now (Heaton Motors in Manningham) and have transferred the numbers over so I am trying to get the business I had on Leeds Road down here for now."

West Yorkshire Police shut a large section of the busy road and advised drivers to avoid the area for most of the day.

The smoke hung over the neighbourhood, with one observer describing the air as polluted by "thick and acrid smoke."

The scene as firefighters tackled the blaze (Image: T&A)

Bradford Council worked with the fire service, a local builder, and the building owner to secure the building and clear debris from the road in the wake of the fierce blaze. 

A Bradford Council spokesperson told the Telegraph & Argus that one of its building control surveyors visited the site earlier this week.

"The owners are planning to replace the floor and roof and restore the shop to how it was before the fire," they said. 

“We will keep monitoring the progress on this site to ensure that it is made safe.”