FIREFIGHTERS are still tackling a mill blaze in Bradford this morning.

Sector commander Tony Williams said five water jets were currently trained on fires in Drummond Mill and the adjacent Drummond House.

He added that crews would be able to get a better picture of the situation when daylight arrived.

Mr Williams said strong winds were making the firefighting operation even more difficult.   

Lumb Lane is closed and there is a large pile of rubble strewn across the road that has fallen from Drummond House.

Assistant Chief Fire Officer Steve Rhodes, who is in charge of the fire service command unit at the scene, said seven pumps would be at the incident from about 8am onwards.

Bradford Telegraph and Argus:

The scene at Drummond Mill today

He added that bit-by-bit demolition of the buildings would soon start, enabling firefighters to get to pockets of the blaze that they currently cannot reach.

"We are fighting the fire from outside the building as we have had internal collapse of walls, floors and the roof, as well as some of the external walls," said Mr Rhodes.

"The process will be that the building will be assessed from a structural perspective when daylight comes. Demolition of the building will occur whilst the fire is still being fought.

"It will start to nibble away at it and it will open up areas for us to get to."

Mr Rhodes said he hoped to get householders and business owners back into their properties as soon as possible.

"The community has been particularly patient and understanding and resilient," he said.

Bradford Telegraph and Argus:

Firefighters remain at the Drummond Mill blaze

"It must have been very hard for them last night."

Chris Anderson, of the Rapid Relief Team charity, has helped man a stall throughout the night providing free food and drink to firefighters, police and members of the community.

"We have been here since 6pm yesterday," said Mr Anderson.

"Spirits have been good. You can see that the guys at the end of a shift really appreciate it.

"There have been some positive comments from command leaders. If we can support them to do a better job, they can do a better job. We are prepared to stay here 24 hours a day, whatever they want us to do."

Yaseen Mohammed, who manages the site on behalf of the owners, said there was fewer than half a dozen tenants using the site and some community and arts groups.

He said a coach house building appeared to have escaped damage, but added: "The rest of the site seems to be decimated.

"The owners are devastated. It is an iconic building and they have owned it for 15 years. One of the reasons they acquired the site was its heritage.

"We are gutted for Bradford as its history is all to do with mill buildings. We are just really disappointed."

On the next step, he added: "It is a wait and see situation. The council building inspector and fire service have to lead on the safety side."

Bradford Telegraph and Argus:

The devastation caused by the fire

Justin Booth, principal building control surveyor for Bradford Council, said: "The council building control will be working with the fire service and the owners to make the building safe as quickly as practicable. But safety is always the most important thing.

"We want to resolve the matter as quickly as possible so people can get back in their homes and businesses."

  • Demolition crews are starting to take down the building this evening and work is expected to continue throughout the night.

Bradford Telegraph and Argus:

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Bradford Telegraph and Argus:

Demolition workers arrive