An investigation was continuing today after a stable block in Bradford was destroyed by a blaze which fire chiefs have described as suspicious.

Firefighters spent about three hours tackling the blaze in Leaventhorpe Lane, Thornton, managing to stop it spreading to homes nearby.

The large wooden building was well alight when two fire crews from Fairweather Green fire station arrived on the scene at about 8.30pm on Friday.

One eyewitness described seeing a “red sky” and cinders from the large fire as flames poured from the burning building.

Luckily, the horses which had been in the stables had escaped to a field nearby and were not injured.

A West Yorkshire Police spokesman said: “Inquiries are on-going and we are working with fire investigators to find how it happened.”

The stables’ owner did not want to comment until after the investigation, other than to say she was “...still in shock” and said the stables were empty at the time.

Simon Shepherd, 50, whose home in Leaventhorpe Grove backs on to the site of the fire, said: “There was a lot of flames and red cinders coming from the stables. I was working in my study and my wife came up and said she thought that someone was having an open fire.

“She went to have another look and came back 30 seconds later and said, ‘come and have a look’. I went out to have a look and the sky was just red.”

He added: “It’s probably started with some kids smoking in there.”

Ronnie Goldwater, Fairweather Green watch manager, said the fire was being treated as suspicious and said police are investigating. A fire service investigator also visited the scene to try to find out the cause of the blaze.

Mr Goldwater said: “It was a significant fire and the building already had flames issuing from all parts of it when we arrived. I was met by the owner who said that, fortunately, there was no livestock or farm equipment in there. The fire is under investigation by ourselves and police.”