A blaze which destroyed one of Bradford’s oldest mills was started deliberately, fire chiefs confirmed today.

The fire ripped through the five storeys of Thompson Mill in Tetley Street, off Thornton Road, last week, leaving it so badly damaged that it had to be demolished.

Traffic was brought to a standstill as firefighters fought the blaze last Tuesday night. Crews were able to prevent it spreading to nearby properties but could not save the mill.

Police had said the cause of the blaze was suspected to be malicious. A joint investigation was taking place with West Yorkshire Fire Service.

Today, the fire investigation officer, Station Manager Richard Hagger, confirmed the fire had been started deliberately.

He said the fire was believed to have been started in rubbish and other materials on the first floor. Mr Hagger said it was most likely that a match or lighter was used.

A police investigation is under way to catch the arsonists.

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