A FIRE has broken out at the old HMRC building in Shipley this evening.
West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue confirmed that firefighters were called to the scene at 5.05pm.
A spokesperson for Bradford Fire Station said earlier that five pumps were at the scene, including an aerial unit and an engine from their station, but one onlooker said that presence had intensified.
Emergency services are currently at the scene of a fire on the Riverside Estate in Shipley.
— West Yorkshire Police - Shipley (@WYP_Shipley) July 8, 2023
We’re advising local residents to keep windows and doors closed whilst the incident is ongoing. @WYFRS pic.twitter.com/41JUqkcajx
In footage on social media, dark smoke can be seen coming from a window of the building.
West Yorkshire Police tweeted this evening: "Emergency services are currently at the scene of a fire on the Riverside Estate in Shipley.
"We're advising local residents to keep windows and doors closed whilst the incident is ongoing."
Statement from West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service
"Fire crews from across the region are in attendance at a derelict building fire on Riverside Estate, Shipley.
"10 appliances are in attendance with specialist support units including aerial appliance.
"Residents local to the area are advised to keep windows and doors closed due to smoke from the fire.
"Please avoid the area where possible so emergency services can deal with the incident."
Attending stations
Normanton Fire Station
Shipley Fire Station
Bingley Fire Station
Bradford Fire Station
Keighley Fire Station
Leeds Fire Station
Odsal Fire Station
Fairweather Green Fire Station
Stanningley Fire Station
Moortown Fire Station
Special teams
Technical Rescue Unit
Aerial Appliance
Command Unit Light
Command Unit Support
The building is on Salts Mill Road, between Shipley and the Saltaire World Heritage Site.
In November 2015, the Government announced the Shipley office of HMRC would close, with staff moved to Leeds.
Not sure what’s going on by the old tax office in Shipley, but there’s about half a dozen fire appliances there… pic.twitter.com/A776xDGjLt
— Keith Wildman (@KeithWildman) July 8, 2023
Despite campaigns to keep the organisation – one of Shipley’s biggest employers – in the town, the office was shut and put on the market.
In October last year, detailed plans to build a 290-home development on the site, complete with shops and a riverside park, were officially revealed.
The full application outlined a proposal to create 289 residential dwellings, including some buildings with “flexible ground floor commercial uses” that the plans said could be cafes or convenience stores.
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