Eleven pensioners were dramatically rescued today after fire broke out at a nursing home in Clayton.

Four people in their 90s were taken to hospital suffering from smoke inhalation after a blaze broke out in the bathroom of Holly Park residential home, in Clayton Lane, just before 7am today.

Assistant divisional fire officer Keith Robinson, of West Yorkshire Fire Service, said the residents were extremely lucky.

"This could have had tragic consequences," ADO Robinson said.

"Luckily the fire service and ambulance crews arrived within minutes of the call.

"Of the 35 residents, 11 had to be rescued from the two-storey building.

The four most affected were taken to Bradford Royal Infirmary."

Their injuries are not thought to be serious.

Six fire appliances from Bradford and four ambulances arrived at the scene within minutes. The fire took half an hour to extinguish.

"The first-floor bathroom was heavily smoke-logged," ADO Robinson said.

"Eleven people were rescued by the fire service and were given breathing apparatus.

"The remaining 20 were taken to a safe part of the building."

Sergeant Gareth Crossley, of Toller Lane Police Station, said: "We got a call at 7am to assist the fire brigade at Holly Park nursing home.

"We are currently working with fire investigation officers to establish the cause of the fire. Luckily no one has been seriously hurt."

A spokesman for Park Homes Limited, which runs the home, said: "First of all we regret and are shocked at the news of the fire.

"As soon as the fire started at about 6.45am all emergency procedures were activated.

"All the residents at the home are now safe and well."

We are currently assessing the damage and any residents whose rooms have been damaged will be moved to our purpose-built home nearby."

Sue Hird, matron at the nursing home, said residents taken to hospital and their injuries were minor.