Police suspect a fire which swept through a car warehouse in the early hours today was started deliberately.

Detectives discovered evidence of the blaze having been started in a several cars at Fleet Motor Co in East Parade, Keighley, when they launched their investigation this morning.

Detective Constable David Livesey said: “There are a number of seats of fire in the cars. Whoever did this appears to have come in by a side door, which makes this suspicious.”

Firefighters from Keighley, Harden and Bingley tackled the outbreak, which was reported by a security guard at 3.32 am.

A West Yorkshire fire service spokesman said the blaze was quickly brought under control and about 20 per cent of the building was damaged.

Police are also investigating a fire in a barn in Muffit Lane, Birstall, which was tackled by firefighters from Cleckheaton and Batley at 1.45am this morning. It was under control by 3.30pm.