FIRE crews at the scene of a blaze which has destroyed part of a Keighley mill building are being joined by investigators trying to establish a cause.

The inferno ripped through a two-storey section of Aireworth Mills, occupied by a tyre sales business.

Around 70 firefighters tackled the blaze, which broke out shortly before 6.30pm yesterday.

At its height, a thick black plume of smoke could be seen across the town.

Eleven fire engines and two aerial ladders, from throughout West Yorkshire, attended.

Firefighters remained at the scene all night damping down with one pump and one aerial appliance still in attendance this morning.

The fire was at Stockbridge Tyres in the mill off Aireworth Road, which has been closed to traffic.

Graham Ambler, West Yorkshire Fire & Rescue Service group manager, paid tribute to the first crews on the scene.

He said their prompt actions helped prevent the fire spreading to adjoining businesses.

"When the crews arrived the premises – where tyres were stored – were well alight," Mr Ambler, speaking at the scene, said.

"The firefighters created a water 'curtain' to stop the flames spreading to the units either side.

"They did a fantastic job and deserve huge credit.

"Without their quick actions, the situation could have been much worse.

"We had the fire under control within about half an hour."