Fire breaks out in Leeds as tower block is filled with black smoke

Huge plumes of smoke pour out of a high-rise tower block after a fire breaks out on the 21st floor

Fire broke out on one of the top floors of a high rise in the middle of Leeds today
Smoke could be seen billowing from Cottingley Towers, which is 25 floors high
The 1970s block is owned by Leeds council and contains socially-rented flats
It was quickly evacuated and four people were treated for smoke inhalation

Published: 11:51 BST, 1 October 2018 | Updated: 15:37 BST, 1 October 2018

A fire broke out on one of the top floors of a high rise building in the middle of Leeds this morning.

Black smoke could be seen billowing from a flat in Cottingley Towers, which is 25 floors high.

The 1970s-built block is owned by Leeds City Council and contains socially-rented flats.

Police, ambulance and fire teams are all on the scene and four people were treated for smoke inhalation.

Fire engulfs the flat on the 21st floor (shown right), while thick smoke fills the air shortly after the arrival of firefighters (right)

The fire broke out on one of the top floors of a high rise building in the middle of Leeds this morning

Firefighters inspect breathing apparatuses laid on the lawn outside Cottingley Towers this morning shortly after the fir broke out

The block was evacuated at about 11am this morning after several people rang emergency services after spotting smoke.

A police cordon has been placed around the block as emergency workers investigate whether or not the building is safe for residents to enter.

Cottingley Towers was one of eight blocks to get a sprinkler system installed earlier this year following the tragic Grenfell disaster in June 2017.

The burnt remains of a flat on the 21st floor of the high rise can be seen, with smoke damage to the facade of the building

Black smoke could be seen billowing from a flat in Cottingley Towers, which is 25 floors high