Angry residents in a Bradford street want urgent action after a mother was engulfed in flames when vandals started a blaze at a derelict house.

Mother-of-five Khalida Bibi suffered serious burns to her face and arms when a pile of rubbish was set alight at the empty house in Marshfield Place, Little Horton. The 46-year-old, who was given treatment at Bradford Royal Infirmary, is still too scared to leave her home after the fire on April 13.

Now a petition of more than 100 signatures has been submitted to Bradford Council and ward councillors urging the house be tidied up or sold.

Debbie Deb-Nath, who is leading the campaign, said she was appalled nothing had been done with the boarded-up building which has been empty for more than 14 years.

"Children play near the house and one of them could easily have been killed when that can exploded," said Miss Deb-Nath, a 26-year-old Government worker.

"The house is infested with rats, pigeons and mice. It's an eyesore and we're all sick of the sight of it. The building has also attracted young vandals who hang around the back smoking, drinking and starting fires. We've had enough."

The Telegraph & Argus reported how Mrs Bibi smelled smoke from the blaze at the neighbouring house and dashed out of her home to bring in the washing because she feared it would catch fire.

Councillor Ian Greenwood (Lab, Little Horton) said residents had his full backing. "As ward councillor I've been aware of the problems this house has caused for a while and I hope that something will be done," he said.

Councillor Sher Khan (Lab, Little Horton) spoke to the family and residents after the "horrific accident". "This terrible tragedy should never have happened and we want to make sure that the house is sorted out in one way or another," he said.

A Bradford Council spokesman said they received a copy of the petition and had identified the legal owner of the house.

"We will be encouraging him to bring the property back into use but if there are no proposals to do that we will have to look at possible legal action."