A man has been arrested on suspicion of committing arson with intent after a severe blaze tore through a home in Keighley early today.

Detectives were questioning the 29-year-old following the house fire in Richmond Street, at about 2.30am.

Neighbours had to be evacuated as firefighters spent about two hours tackling the blaze, which caused “extensive damage” to the building, a fire service spokesman said.

Initial reports indicated there might have been someone trapped in the house and three fire crews, one from Bingley and two from Keighley were sent to the scene. However, when they got there, they discovered the house was empty.

Chris Hanna, watch commander at Keighley fire station, said: “There was extensive damage right through the house. It was quite a severe fire.”

He said investigators were due to visit the house today to try to establish how the fire started.

The man was arrested soon afterwards and taken into custody for questioning.

A West Yorkshire Police spokesman said inquiries were ongoing.