FIREFIGHTERS tackled a blaze at a three-storey flats complex.

The fire broke out inside the lift car at Sutton Court, Sutton-in-Craven, late this morning.

Smoke billowed through the ventilation shaft and out of a rooftop vent and seeped into a lobby area on the top floor of the building, in Corn Mill Walk.

Fire crews from Keighley, Bingley and Skipton – plus an aerial ladder from Bradford – attended.

The blaze was brought under control within about 40 minutes, but firefighters remained at the scene for much of the afternoon.

Residents of the complex, where there are nearly 50 privately-owned flats, had their own evacuation plan in place. No one was injured in the incident.

Occupants were alerted when smoke alarms activated.

Some firefighters – wearing breathing apparatus – tackled the lift fire from inside the premises, on the top floor, while colleagues outside sprayed water into the ventilation shaft.

A special high-pressure fan was also used to help clear smoke from the building.

Crew commander David Knox, of Keighley Fire Station, said: "We were alerted through a call from a resident who had smelled burning.

"Initially two crews – from Keighley and Bingley – attended, but that was increased to around 25 firefighters.

"They worked tirelessly up and down three floors and thanks to their efforts, the fire was prevented from spreading beyond the lift.

"We checked all the flats to make sure nobody was in danger."

He added that the cause of the fire was under investigation, but there were no suspicious circumstances.