A blaze at a Bradford bookstore almost left Harry Potter fans snapping their wands in frustration.

But luckily for the dozens who lined the street from 5am today, the piles of J K Rowling's latest blockbuster were untouched by the fire last night at Waterstones in Bradford city centre.

It was an early start for staff at the store where the doors opened at 6am to about 50 eager Potter fans.

And hundreds more were expected to descend upon the book shop today to pick up their copy of Harry Potter and the Order of the Pheonix.

Disaster was narrowly averted at 9.30pm yesterday when a small blaze broke out at the store, only to burn itself out.

First through the doors today were sisters Nicole and Kelly Jagger, of East Bowling, Bradford.

Nicole, 26, said: "We didn't mind getting up early to get down here - we've been waiting long enough for this book to come out."

Kelly, 20, added: "The characters are so real and the plots are fantastic."

Three generations of the Helliwell family, all from the Undercliffe area, were a living testament to J K Rowling's universal appeal.

Kitted out in a Harry Potter t-shirt, 11-year-old Joseph said: "I've been out here since 5.15am and I just can't wait to get reading."

His mum Tracy, 32, added: "I was the first in the house to read one. I got the first book and had finished it in four hours."

Joseph's grandma Carol, 55, added: "I was hooked from the first moment I read it."

And watching Harry's adventures on the big screen has become something of a regular family event.

Tracy said: "So far we have all seen the first film 13 times and the second one six times."

So what is the secret of Rowling's phenomenal success?

Carol has little doubt: "It is so full of magic and excitement - reading it helps to keep my mind young."

Swarvaj Dewdi, aged nine, of Idle, was up at 4.30am to ensure his place in the queue. He said: "All the Harry Potter books so far have been brilliant. I am sure that this one will live up to the expectations."

Waterstones manager Emily Hamer, who sold 50 copies within five minutes, said: "It is a book that parents don't mind reading to their children.

"We have had hundreds of reservations and a lot have been for people aged over 30 who are buying it for themselves." Speaking of the fire, she said: "It started in an air conditioning unit but burned through a water pipe which put it out. It was fortunate that none of the Harry Potter books caught alight - there would have been some very disappointed people here today."