FIREFIGHTERS have spoken of the terrifying moment they ran for their lives as a devastating Bradford mill fire came close to engulfing them as they tried to fight it.

Dozens of firefighters were trying to bring the smouldering fire under control when it suddenly erupted as it broke through a basement.

Bradford Telegraph and Argus:

One fireman, who was inside the Grade II listed four-storey Drummond Mill in Lumb Lane,  said he had not seen such a dangerous and frightening situation in more than 25 years as a firefighter.

He said that the fire had been smouldering when flames suddenly flashed across the roof and towards him and several colleagues.

"It was frightening. We were all fighting to get out of the building. The flames came at us across the roof. It was obvious it was time to get out."

At the height of the fire, more than 120 firefighters were at the scene. Many were running to and fro as fire chiefs fought to contain the huge fire.

Ian Bitcon, West Yorkshire Assistant Chief Fire Officer, said that the fire had moved "very rapidly" after it was initially starved of oxygen in the confines of the basement.

"We know that the fire was being fought in the basement and we know that when the fire developed into the building it did so very rapidly.

"As you can imagine, a fire in a basement holds itself in an oxygen starved position. When it releases the oxygen it does spread very quickly."

He said the fire had posed a significant risk to buildings around the burning mill as sparks were fanned by high winds.

Businesses and residents who had to quickly evacuate spoke of their shock.

Mohammed Zahoor, of Universal Clothing, based in the mill complex, said the company had lost a large amount of stock: "We were trying to save our stock when they told us to get out.

"There was water coming in and then smoke. It was knee high with water when we got out. We just got out in time."

The fire broke out at 11.22am yesterday in the basement used by Zoozio, an online retailer of household goods which employs 20 people.

Its director, Hammad Rehman, 35, who called the fire brigade, said he was "devastated" and had no idea how it had started.

Evacuated residents were taken to Richard Dunn Sports Centre, Rooley Lane.

Nayim Rehman, 20, who lives opposite Drummond Mill, said people started to panic as choking black smoke smothered the area.

Bradford Telegraph and Argus:

"The fire didn't seem too bad when it started off, but at 3 o'clock we heard loads of loud bangs and that's when the panic started happening," he said.

"There was debris falling from the sky and thick black fog that was hurting your throat.

"The whole street was panicking, it was crazy. The fire got so bad even the fire crews had to move back, that shows how badly it's affected the mill.

"It was havoc, my mum was panicking and she actually started crying. No one knew what to do. We just got out of the street as quickly as possible."

Liquat Hussain, 43, who lives at Clarendon Court, off Lumb Lane, was among those taken to the Richard Dunn Sports Centre.

"The fire just got worse and worse, clouds of smoke started coming out and they closed the roads," he said.

"My son got back from school and they wouldn't allow him back into the street. A couple of hours ago they evacuated the whole street saying it wasn't safe because of the poisonous smoke.

"It came to me that there might be some sort of chemicals in there and gas or electricity that could cause harm.

"I could see the embers and flames flying up and there were just dark clouds of smoke everywhere.

"It's the first time we've seen anything like this so it was scary to be honest.

"We didn't bring anything at all. We were just told to get our jackets and shoes and leave."

The landlady of The Barracks Tavern, which is opposite Drummond Mill on Lumb Lane, described the black smoke as "quite scary".

Haroon Śç Habib, from the Sweet Centre, opposite Drummond Mill said the shop had been closed since 11am and it had been a dramatic day.

"We have never seen something this bad. But we can really salute the fire services they have been doing an extremely big job."

Fire crews set up water jets on the ground outside the Sweet Centre to prevent the flames from spreading further.

Mohammed Awas, 44, of Ronald Drive, Lidget Green, was going to Universal Clothing, which has a unit at Drummond Mill, when the fire started.

He said: "I don't know how it started. It's scary to see it. It's shocking. My first concern was the safety of everyone in the mill."

West Yorkshire Police said it was called to help with road closures.

Lumb Lane, between White Abbey Road and Grace Church Street, was closed, with traffic being diverted.

Bowland Street was also closed.

* UPDATE: 8.55PM. The fire service has scaled back its presence at the scene from 25 fire appliances to 15. Although what remains of the building is still on fire, crews are focusing their efforts on ensuring the flames do not spread to surrounding buildings.

Fresh crews were sent to the scene at 7.30pm to relieve those who had been there all afternoon.

A fire service spokesman said crews would remain at the scene all night.

There have been no reports of any injuries to fire crews.

  •  UPDATE: 9.30PM. Staff at Richard Dunn Sports Centre are trying to find hotel accommodation for 32 evacuees so they don't have to sleep at the sports centre.

Staff fetched food for the families and have been busy trying to find a hotel for all the families so they can stay together. 

A spokesman said it wasn't yet clear where the 32 would be sleeping.

"We are trying to find somewhere. We are ringing round hotels in the Bradford area."