A MAN who operates a sports club on the same complex of a large historic mill that caught fire this morning fears the blaze could spread onto his own business.

WATCH: Huge mill on fire in Bradford district

Oliver Thornton, who runs Soaring Eagle Karate, says it was a scary thing when he saw the images and videos crop up on social media of Dalton Mills in Keighley in flames.

West Yorkshire Fire & Rescue Service says 20 crews, including the aerial ladder from Bradford, are involved in fighting the fire.

The alarm was raised at noon.

Initial reports indicated the fire had started in the roof, but when firefighters arrived at the scene - in Dalton Lane - they discovered the ground floor was alight.

There is currently no information about any casualties or how the blaze started.

Oliver said: "It was a scary thing when I saw the scenes.

"We are in the same complex, so hopefully it does not spread across.

"I have not heard anything from our landlord yet.

"We were due back in on Saturday but that session will probably be cancelled now.

"It is not surprising that it has happened in that derelict building.

"There has not been anything in the main building for at least eight years.

"Filming has occurred in the basement but not for a while."