POLICE and the fire service are investigating a "suspicious" fire which destroyed a phone mast in Wibsey this morning.

The mast at the junction of Smith Avenue and High Street, which locals say is a 5G system that was only installed a couple of weeks ago, was completely destroyed in the fire at about 4am.

Residents had to be evacuated in the vicinity and road closures put in place.

Police say they are working with fire investigators to determine the cause of the blaze but it is being treated as suspicious.

Messages posted on social media locally said that scene of crime officers were seen at the site this morning.

Posters said that they were woken up by the fire brigade attending the scene and it caused quite a commotion.

Others speculated that someone must have had to use a flame thrower to set it alight but others suggested that it might have been an electrical fault.

A rash of arson attacks on 5G masts were reported at the start of the coronavirus pandemic because they were mistakenly believed to be the cause of the virus outbreak.

Bradford Telegraph and Argus: The base of the phone mast shows scorchingThe base of the phone mast shows scorching

A West Yorkshire Police spokesperson said: "Police received reports of a fire at 4am this morning (16/05) involving a telecommunication mast on High Street in Bradford.

"Officers are working with fire investigators to determine the cause, however, the incident is currently being treated as suspicious.

"A number of residents have been evacuated in the immediate vicinity and road closures put in place.

"Anyone who saw the fire occur or anyone with further information as to the circumstances should contact the non-emergency number 101.

"Alternatively, you can contact the Live Chat facility available via the Force website."