FIREFIGHTERS from across West Yorkshire are at the scene of a huge building blaze in Bradford this evening.

Crews were scrambled to Bolton Road, near the city centre, at around 8.30pm. 

A spokesperson for West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service said: "Firefighters from across West Yorkshire are currently dealing with a high rise building fire on Bolton Road, Bradford.

Emergency services at the sceneEmergency services at the scene (Image: Revd Pete Gunstone, Bradford Cathedral)

"Fire involved in roof of eight-storey unoccupied apartment block.  

"Ten fire engines and two aerial appliances are in attendance."

They added: "Residents local to Bolton Road are advised to keep doors and windows closed due to smoke in the vicinity.

"Please avoid the area where possible to allow emergency services to deal with the incident."

Revd Pete Gunstone, of Bradford Cathedral, said: At around 8.40pm, we noticed smoke and flames issuing from the roof of the building and fire appliances gathering.

"For the next hour or so, many more emergency services vehicles gathered and the police taped off the surrounding streets."

The fire is being tackled using an aerial applianceThe fire is being tackled using an aerial appliance (Image: Revd Pete Gunstone, Bradford Cathedral)

He added: "To a layperson, it appears to have been a tricky fire to extinguish.

"Although multiple fire appliances along with two long reach aerial platforms have been sent to the scene, the location of the fire seems to have made it difficult to extinguish it quickly.

"Flames are still evident at 10.30pm.

"We at Bradford Cathedral are praying for all those involved and affected."

Fire stations in attendance

Bradford Fire Station

Bradford Fire Station

Shipley Fire Station

Odsal Fire Station

Fairweather Green Fire Station

Cleckheaton Fire Station

Bingley Fire Station

Stanningley Fire Station

Rawdon Fire Station

Dewsbury Fire Station

Special teams

Aerial Appliance

Aerial Appliance

Hose Layer Unit