RESIDENTS living in the shadow of Drummond Mill have told of the shock and fear they felt when the fire took hold.

Some were allowed back into their homes at about 10.30am yesterday.

A total of 38 people who lived near the mill were taken to Richard Dunn Sports Centre on Thursday evening where they were given food and drink while Bradford Council arranged for Travelodge Bradford Central to take them in for the night.

Other residents stayed with family and friends.

Thuhinur Rahman, 26, of Jinnah Court, about 100 yards from the mill's chimney, took his wife and one-year-old daughter to a neighbour's relative's house for the night. He returned to his home at about 10.30am.

"It was a difficult time," he said. "We could see this big fire and then we made a decision to get out.

"There were more than ten of us at my neighbour's nephew's house. We are glad to be back."

Mohammed Ashraf, 44, of Jinnah Court, took his wife and three daughters - aged 11, five and five months - and Mr Rahman's family to his nephew's.

"This fire was very powerful," said Mr Ashraf. "We were very scared. It was very smoky - it was a very dangerous fire.

"Everyone was helping each other."

Mohammed Ali, also of Jinnah Court, said he took his family away from the scene.

"The fire was scary," he said.

Ruksana Ahmed, 25, who lives in Ure Crescent, off White Abbey Road, told how she watched part of the building collapse from a window at the back of the house.

"When the building collapsed it was like an earthquake," she said.

"It was scary but at the same time it was exciting - the adrenaline of it."

At the Barracks Tavern in Lumb Lane, landlady Carol Marshall was in tears yesterday after seeing the mill destroyed.

She had to close the pub on Thursday and fears it won't reopen until Monday due to Lumb Lane being closed.

"I have been here ten years and I feel like I have lost my arm. All my customers have been asking on Facebook if they can come in for a pint on Saturday before the Bradford City game.

"I was in tears reading their comments."

If it doesn't open today, she will lose around £2,500 in takings from the football crowd. On Friday, closure meant a loss of about £800.

"I take quite a lot on a City day. I'm devastated about that but money isn't everything. I'm just glad that everybody is alright."

Haroon Habib, at the Sweet Centre restaurant in Lumb Lane, said he did not expect the business to reopen for up to a week.

"We are devastated at the loss of such historic building. We have been established since 1964 so we have valued this historic building for over 50 years. It is going to be missed."

Ward councillors spoke of their sadness at the loss of such a landmark building.

Councillor Ishtiaq Ahmed (Bradford Independent Group) said: “It’s a big blow for Manningham.

“The building is part of the heritage of Bradford. I’m glad that no-one was hurt or injured.

“The community has been very supportive.

“It’s such a shame that a building of this stature has been lost to the city.

“The local businesses I have spoken to are devastated. Such an iconic building has gone up in smoke.”

Councillor Sameena Akhtar (Lab) said: "My sympathies are with the businesses based in the mill itself and also the businesses on Lumb Lane, which are likely to stay closed till at least Monday.

"On behalf of all the evacuees I must thank and pay special tribute to West Yorkshire Police and the fire service for their continuous professionalism and executing their duties in such harsh and difficult weather conditions."