AN ELDERLY woman was taken to hospital after a fire ripped through her home.

A firefighter also needed attention from paramedics after he was struck by debris when the roof of the property collapsed.

The ferocious blaze caused massive damage to all three storeys of the mid-terrace house, in Skipton Road, Utley.

At its height, flames were shooting from all the windows and through the roof.

Around 30 firefighters tackled the inferno.

The occupant suffered superficial burns and was taken to Airedale Hospital as a precaution.

Fire engines from Keighley, Bingley, Shipley, Fairweather Green and Bradford, and a turntable ladder from Halifax, went to the scene.

The blaze broke out at about 5pm yesterday and it took firefighters, some wearing breathing apparatus, around half an hour to bring it under control.

The fire began in the kitchen but spread rapidly.

"Initially two fire engines attended but it was quickly realised that more were needed," said Tony Pearson, station commander from Odsal and Fairweather Green, who was in charge at the scene.

"There were flames coming from the whole of the property."

The crew member caught-up in the roof collapse was checked over by paramedics, but didn't require treatment.

Homes either side of the burning house were evacuated.

"There was some water damage to the neighbouring houses but we managed to stop the fire spreading," said Mr Pearson.

"We put a ladder up at the back of the property as well as tackling the fire from other points, and that was effective."

Two large water jets, plus hose reels, were used during the operation.

A special high-pressure ventilation fan was also brought in to help clear fumes.

Smoke was still billowing from the house well into the evening and firefighters remained there throughout the night to ensure flames didn't reignite.

The section of Skipton Road around the scene, close to the Roebuck pub, was closed to traffic.

Investigations into the cause of the blaze are continuing.