Fire investigators probing the cause of a ferocious blaze which ripped through a Keighley building are being hampered by the dangerous state of the structure.

Teams have so far been unable to enter what remains of the three-storey premises, in Grange Street, Lawkholme.

“Structurally it’s very unsafe,” a fire service spokesman said today.

“We are awaiting some demolition work and until that is carried out investigators are unable to go inside.”

Around 70 firefighters from across the district tackled the inferno, early yesterday morning.

They fought for about three hours to bring the blaze under control and managed to stop it spreading to adjacent houses, which were evacuated.

Crews were also able to prevent the fire engulfing a snooker hall within the building, but the rest of the complex – including a shop unit and storage area – was severely damaged.