Firefighters last night tackled a massive blaze which ripped through a Dewsbury flats complex.

Fire crews were called to Ashworth Close in the Eightlands area of the town after a blaze broke out in the roof space.

People fled their homes and neighbours were evacuated just after 4.30pm. It is believed no-one was hurt.

Flames spread across the roof void and firefighters had to tackle the blaze from an aerial platform.

It is thought that as many as 12 flats were involved in the fire with at least four being gutted.

Fire crews from Dewsbury, Batley, Mirfield and Wakefield attended and spent several hours at the scene.

Kirklees Council’s emergency plan swung into action to help tenants forced out of their homes as temperatures plummeted.

The flats complex was badly damaged and a structural engineer from Kirklees Council was sent to assess the safety of the building.

Officials from the gas and electricity companies also attended and West Yorkshire Fire Service launched an investigation into the cause.

Early indications suggested it may have been an electrical fault.