Fire broke out at a Bradford takeaway shop in the early hours of this morning.

Scenes of crime officers from West Yorkshire Police are probing the cause of the blaze, which is being treated as suspicious.

The incident happened at Deli Bite, in Morley Street, just after 1am.

The flames damaged the rear door of the premises, while smoke caused damage to the inside of the shop.

About a dozen people who live in the flats above the shop had to evacuate their homes in the middle of the night.

The incident was attended by two fire engines from Bradford. A pair of firemen, wearing breathing apparatus, used a hose reel jet to bring the flames under control.

A West Yorkshire Police spokesman said: "We got a call at 1.27am from the fire brigade requiring assistance at a building fire in Morley Street, believed to be deliberate ignition."

Residents in the upstairs apartments were alerted when the smoke alarm sounded, and one of them called 999.

Watch manager Mark Whittaker, of Bradford fire station, said: "The alarm in the flats gave the residents a good early call.

“The shop was closed at the time of the incident.

"There is minor smoke damage inside the shop and a small amount of burning to the door."

Anyone who witnessed the incident or has information about it should call Bradford South Police on 0845 6060606.