A FARM has been badly damaged by fire in Lepton.

No-one has been living at the farm off Highfield Lane for a couple of years and firefighters say it is now structurally unsound inside following the blaze.

Crews were alerted to the fire at 12.15pm yesterday and discovered an upstairs bedroom well alight.

The flames spread upwards and through the roof.

Watch manager Rodger Binns from Huddersfield Fire Station said: “We committed firefighters wearing breathing apparatus, but had to pull them back at one point fearing the roof would collapse.’’

Children are thought to have got in and started the blaze.

But Watch manager Binns said the farm house was now dangerous inside.

“We would urge people to keep well clear,’’ he said. “Parents must stress to their children not to go inside it under any circumstances.’’