Residents of a block of high-rise flats in Bingley have praised a security guard they say “saved lives” by dialling 999 after a suspected arson attack.

More than 80 residents of Brunswick House, Crossley Wood Road, have started a petition because they wanted assurances from housing provider Incommunities that their on-site doormen will not be axed.

Anne Howard, who launched the petition, said they had been told Incommunities was set to move staff out of the building to man a CCTV centre in Bradford. However, an Incommunities spokesman said it had no plans “at this time” to change services at Brunswick House or other blocks in Gilstead.

Mrs Howard, 54, started the petition which now has 86 signatures after a suspected arson attack on the eighth floor of the high-rise caused panic among residents.

Firefighters quickly quelled the blaze after it was spotted by the eagle-eyed concierge.

Mrs Howard said: “If he hadn’t picked it up so quickly, it could have been a massive fire,” she added. “He saved lives.”

Two Bradford men have been arrested on suspicion of arson with intent to endanger life and bailed following the fire at about 4.15pm on March 9.

Bingley Conservative Councillor David Heseltine said he had spoken to Mrs Howard, and urged Incommunities bosses to say whether there were any future plans to change the current service.

An Incommunities spokesman said: “We would always consult residents, in the first instance, if we are looking to make changes to our services. Our concierge staff provide a very timely and professional service for residents and this was demonstrated by the prompt response in calling the fire service to the flat fire at Brunswick House.”