A pensioner has been arrested on suspicion of arson following a dramatic blaze that ripped through a barn in the early hours of the morning.

The intensity of the fire, at Crossflatts, caused the roof of the barn to explode, firing debris at firefighters who were trying to fight back the flames. At the height of the blaze, more than 30 firefighters from Bingley, Keighley and Shipley tackled flames that were shooting out of the barn.

A 70-year-old man, believed to have been sleeping rough there, has since been arrested on suspicion of arson.

Emergency services were called at 2am yesterday as flames leapt through the derelict building’s roof near Bingley Cattle mart, opposite Bingley Grammar School.

Crews wearing breathing apparatus and using two large water jets had to stay outside the burning building because it was in imminent danger of collapse.

Firefighter Phil Swain said: “The risk of it falling in on us was too real so we didn’t go in.

“The roof was made of asbestos and it got so hot that it was exploding, firing debris at us.”

It took about two hours in all to tame the fire and make the scene safe.

About 50 per cent of the barn, which measured 15 metres by 30 metres, was affected by the blaze.

The heat of the flames was a stark contrast with the freezing temperatures the firefighters had to endure.

Firefighter Swain said: “It was the first time ever in my 23 year career that I’ve seen water from the hoses coming down the sides of the building freezing up as soon as it hit it.’’ He said a fire investigation has started, and added: “It looks as though someone might have been sleeping rough and tried to light a fire to keep warm.”