Westfield Fisheries, Yeadon: Police release statement after smash

Police were called to reports that a car had been in collision with a building on New Road, Yeadon, shortly before 10.30pm on Saturday, January 21.

A pile of bricks and debris were seen outside the boarded-up entrance to Westfield Fisheries yesterday.

Damage was extensive after a car crashed into Westfield Fisheries in Yeadon (Image: Newsquest)

A spokesperson for the West Yorkshire Police said: "The vehicle caused severe damage to the building, rupturing a gas pipe, and resulting in the evacuation of 16 residents from nine nearby homes while the premises were made safe by gas workers.

"The road was closed between Greenlea Avenue and Whackhouse Lane while emergency services dealt with the incident.

"The two occupants of the vehicle, a male and female, suffered minor injuries as a result of the collision.

"Residents returned to their properties at 2.10am on Sunday."

One mum told how her family was tucked up in bed before hearing a “loud bang”.

“A police car was driving by and they stopped while I was on the phone to them,” her son, who works at Westfield Fisheries, said.

The mum of three, who has lived on the street since childhood, said: “There was a loud bang and another loud bang. We were all like, what was that?

"We got up and we’ve seen the car in the fish shop, phoned the police. They already knew."

Pointing to her son, she said: “He was working yesterday. He finished at seven, all as normal. We heard this crash, bang, wallop.

"It was quite scary. Imagine it was an hour earlier, what if somebody had been walking by?

“It’s scary. Especially when they say there’s a gas leak and it’s not safe.”

Another resident said: “We heard something but I wasn’t sure if I heard it on the TV or what it was. There was a knock on the door and it was a police officer, they said it wasn’t safe for us to be here at the moment.

“It’s been the same owners for at least the past three or four years. That fish shop has been there ever since I can remember. My mum and dad have always lived here. I was formerly in the armed forces but I’m into my 40s now and that’s been here since I was in my teens. It’s been there for a lot of years.

“I hope he can get sorted out with his insurance or get back trading. It’s vital for the community. He does offer a community service.”

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