FIRE crews prevented serious damage at Victoria Mills last night, after a blaze.

The bins underneath a bin chute at the VM2 building of the mill complex, off Salts Mill Road, Shipley, were on fire.

Apartments are situated in the building and each floor has access to the bin chute which leads to the bins outside.

West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service (WYFRS) attended at around 9:15pm.

Four appliances attended, from Wakefield, Otley, Keighley and Shipley.

An aerial appliance was used, as well as six breathing apparatus.

Smoke covered the entire building complex and there was severe damage to the bin storage area itself, according to a WYFRS spokesman.

There was also smoke damage to the rest of the property.

The building had to be evacuated and residents watched on from the on-site VM2 bar and lounge for several hours. 

The spokesman added: "It could have been serious had it not been for the action of the fire services that attended."