AN EMPTY house was set alight by youths causing hundreds of pounds worth of damage.

Firefighters from Huddersfield were called to Mill Street in Crosland Moor yesterday evening when a pile of rubbish had been put outside the terraced property and set alight.

They said it caused extensive damage to the front and roof but the interior was just smoke damaged.

Crew manager Shane Byrne said: “We suspect it is a case of deliberate ignition by youths because it seems to have been a bonfire which spread.

“There was nobody living in the property but we were told someone was going to be moving in over the next week or two.

“It should be ok if it’s all cleaned up as there’s no structural damage.”

Fire crews were called to the scene at 5.30pm last night and needed to use an aerial platform to access the roof which was also damaged.

The matter has been referred to the police to investigate.