Third and fourth fires in a week at derelict Keighley mill

A large emergency services presence is currently tackling the third - and fourth - fires at Keighley's Dalton Mills complex within a week.

Two small fires were dealt with at the site just outside the town centre earlier this week, but today's blaze seems is much larger, with Dalton Lane closed between Keighley College and Fruit Street and people being advised to avoid the area.

Police have the street cordoned off and around 20 fire engines from across West Yorkshire are in attendance.

The listed building - once the largest textile mill complex in Yorkshire - had latterly been used as a studio for film and TV production, including for Peaky Blinders.

It was previously damaged by a fire in 2011 and gutted by a blaze in 2022.

Various plans have been made to bring the building back into use, with concerns raised about the safety of the derelict site, a point made by Keighley MP Robbie Moore, who says, "It is unknown at this stage what has caused the fire or if anyone has been injured - BUT should any investigations conclude that arsonists are yet again involved, they should expect the full force of the law to hit them hard.

I have been raising the case for months now with the Crown Estate and other organisations who have legal oversight that the site is not secure, easily accessible and that it is only a matter of time before the next major incident takes place.

This current situation simply cannot continue.

Dalton Mills is a jewel within Keighley which needs protection and restoration."

There are reports the fire has spread to other neighbouring properties, buildings close by include the Keighley Bus Museum.

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