MP says latest major fire at Keighley landmark is ‘deeply infuriating’

The MP for Keighley said “the situation cannot continue” after a fifth major fire in as many years at Dalton Mills in the town.

West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service (WYFRS) were called to the Victorian textile mill at around 8pm on Saturday.

The Grade II listed building has featured in shows including Downton Abbey and Peaky Blinders, but was subject to an arson attack in 2011.

The interior was completely destroyed by a 2022 fire and there was a further arson attack in 2025.

Two fires in the space of six days at the derelict site in February 2026 were “deliberate”, according to WYFRS.

Robbie Moore, the MP for Keighley and Ilkley, said in a video posted on X: “You already will have seen that we have had another major fire in the centre of Keighley, which is deeply infuriating.

“This situation just simply cannot continue.

“I’ve been calling on our local authority to secure this site as best as possible for years now, and this is our next major fire.”

WYFRS advised people to avoid the area, with a number of local residents evacuated.

“Due to the severity of the incident and the potential risk to residents living in close proximity to the fire, a number of nearby residents are now being evacuated,” they said in a statement late on Saturday.

“Local Authority Emergency Planning officers are on scene and are providing support and guidance to those affected by the evacuation.”

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