Cause of fire which gutted shop on Leeds Road ‘undetermined’

The cause of a fire which gutted a shop on one of Bradford’s busiest roads cannot be determined, the fire service has said.

Crews from West Yorkshire rushed to Heaton Motor Factors on Leeds Road just after 12pm on June 12.

Smoke was billowing from the building and explosions were heard as firefighters battled the blaze.

A fire caused extensive damage to Heaton Motor Factors on Leeds Road (Image: Newsquest)

Both floors of the auto parts store were engulfed in flames and emergency services were heard telling members of the public to “go back” amid the dangerous scenes.

West Yorkshire Police closed a large section of the busy road and advised motorists to avoid the area for most of the day.

Smoke billows from the building as firefighters battle the blaze at Heaton Motor Factors (Image: Newsquest)

Following the fire, firefighters told the Telegraph & Argus that the building was deemed “too dangerous” to enter.

In an update this week, a spokesman said the fire investigation team had “recorded the fire as undetermined as they cannot confirm whether it is accidental or deliberate”.

The building is now covered in scaffolding and a metal panel has been placed on the outside of the building.

Bradford Council worked with the fire service, a local builder and the owner of the building to secure the building and remove the debris from the road.

A Bradford Council spokesman said: “Bradford Council’s building control team worked closely with WYFRS, a local builder (who happen to own the building next door and were known to our building control team), and building owner secure the building and clear debris from the sidewalk and road.”

There were dramatic scenes as firefighters worked to bring the blaze under control.

An aerial ladder platform was brought in to provide a higher vantage point from which to fight the flames.

Smoke hung over the neighborhood, with one observer describing the air as polluted by “thick, acrid smoke.”

Irfan Haider, owner of Phones Doctor, which is next door to Heaton Motor Factors, told the T&A: “When the fire started, Maz (owner of Heaton Motor Factors) came to us asking for a fire extinguisher.

“My guys tried to help him (put out the fire) but it was already too late.

“They called me and I looked at the cameras and smoke was already coming through my shop.

“I rushed to the shop and came to the scene to see extreme smoke. I couldn’t say anything, I couldn’t do anything.

“It was very shocking to see.”