FIRE investigators have so far been unable to determine the cause of the blaze which destroyed Drummond Mill in Bradford.

A fire service spokesman said today the cause had not been established due to the extensive fire damage and the mill in Lumb Lane, Manningham, being demolished.

Firefighters are still at the scene and continuing to put out pockets of fire on the site following the huge blaze which broke out last Thursday morning.

Lumb Lane is likely to remain closed to vehicles until Wednesday afternoon. It is hoped it will be opened to pedestrians tomorrow afternoon, though the Barrack Tavern will be accessible on foot from this evening.

Bradford District Commander, Martin Speed, said: “The demolition process is a very intricate one which must be taken step by step.

“As different areas are exposed to oxygen, hotspots are flaring up again and firefighters are extinguishing flames as they appear.

“The two gable ends of the mill are still standing but could collapse, so it’s essential that the area remains cordoned.

“Realistically, it is unlikely that Lumb Lane will open to traffic before Wednesday afternoon which means a handful of businesses will not be able to access their premises.

“We hope the local community can bear with us while we carry out this essential process with care.”

Carol Marshall, landlady of the Barracks pub, opposite the mill, said she was given the go ahead to open the pub again this morning but was then told to close until the evening.

"About ten of our regulars came in straight away, but then I had to tell them to leave again. One old chap walked down from his home and had to walk back again after one pint."

The pub was accessible on foot last night.

Mrs Marshall said: "I am allowed back on the premises and we are cleaning up. It smells of smoke but we are lucky the stock hasn't been damaged. But we have lost hundreds of pounds in earnings."

Haroon Habib, who runs the Sweet Centre in Lumb Lane, is waiting to be allowed back on his premises before he can assess the damage.

But he said: "We won't be able to sell any of the stock that's in there because of the smoke damage, and once we can get access we will have to clean up. It will be at least two weeks before we will be able to open again.

"It's frustrating. Customers keep calling to ask when we will be open and we can't tell them."