A FIRE which seriously damaged the living room of a house in Lawkholme Lane early this morning (July 29) is believed to have been started deliberately.

A spokesman for West Yorkshire Police confirmed that the case is being treated as arson.

Fire crews from Keighley, Silsden and Bingley responded to the blaze at 4.24am, after it was initially feared that someone was inside the end terrace property.

However, Bingley Fire Station watch commander Alistair MacLellan confirmed that no one was present in the house at the time of the fire.

"We got called out after the fire was phoned in by a passing taxi driver," he added.

"A sofa in the front room had been involved in the fire and the rest of the house was heavily smoke logged.

"We used six breathing apparatus, but it only took a few minutes to bring the flames under control."

Police remained at the scene of the house fire earlier this morning.