DEMOLITION work on a disused listed mill in Thornton ravaged by fire was taking place last night.

Around 45 firefighters battled a blaze at Prospect Mills on Thursday, with the last remaining fire engine leaving the site at 10am yesterday.

The fierce fire completely engulfed the second and third floor of the four-storey building.

It was under control by around 8.30pm on Thursday but reduced numbers of firefighters stayed overnight damping down.

Fire investigators are working alongside police to investigate the cause.

Firm Thomas Crompton carried out demolition work on the site, which had been disused for several years, and took between five and six hours.

Demolition boss Thomas Crompton said: "It was a dangerous state. It's right on the road.

"All the supports have gone so it was very insecure."

Green Lane in Thornton remained closed yesterday due to the fire from Market Street to Thornton Road.

Thornton Road was re-opened yesterday but Green Lane was closed to allow emergency services to park while structural damage was assessed.

A diversion via Lower Kipping Lane and Green Lane was put in place.

Councillor Malcolm Sykes (Con, Thornton and Allerton), said he hoped people understood the reasons why the road closures were put in place.

He said he knew road closures were an inconvenience for locals, but health and safety has to be a priority.

Homes close to the mill were heavily smoke-logged and some were evacuated.

Meanwhile, a Prospect Street resident, who did not wish to be named, spoke of her frustration at being told she cannot go back to her house until at least next Monday.

Prospect Street is cordoned off as demolition and investigation work took place last night, with residents told by police officers yesterday they cannot return to their properties until after the weekend due to safety reasons.

The resident said: "I'm frustrated by it but I can't do anything about it.

"I feel that it's just a bit inconvenient. All my clothes for work are there at my house, and I go back to work on Monday.

"I'm having to stay at my daughter's house in Thornton until then."

Flames could be seen pouring out of windows and palls of thick black smoke also cloaked the surrounding area.

The roof of the mill was destroyed by the fire within an hour and all the building's windows were blown out.

Firefighters from Fairweather Green Shipley, Bradford, including an aerial appliance, Illingworth, Odsal, Bingley, Rawdon, Halifax, Idle and Morley attended the blaze.

Market Street in Thornton was jammed with traffic on Thursday night while fire crews tackled the blaze.