FIREFIGHTERS have now left the scene of a blaze which ripped through a block of flats in Bradford city centre.

Fire crews from across Bradford were called to the scene of a major fire at 8.30pm last night (Wednesday) at the unoccupied eight-storey apartment block on Bolton Road.

Flames were seen licking out of the roof of the John Green building.

People were advised to avoid the area if possible with Bolton Road, between Stott Hill and Lower Kirkgate, closed both ways for much of Thursday.

The fire burning at the Bolton Road building last nightThe fire burning at the Bolton Road building last night (Image: The Revd Pete Gunstone)

At its height, there were crews from ten fire stations with multiple aerial appliances at the scene, but by 3.30pm today the West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service "the incident had been scaled down to three crews, the aerial ladder is leaving the scene".

The fire service provided a further update at 5pm, with a spokesperson saying: "All our crews are now leaving the scene.

"We'd like to thank all our partners, including our fellow emergency services, and Bradford Council for their help today."