Historic Mill Fire
Major Fire Engulfs Historic Dalton Mills in Yorkshire Again
Anonymous
Key Points
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Dalton Mills was built in 1869 and once employed more than 2,000 people, making it one of Yorkshire’s largest textile mills.
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The mill reportedly caught fire twice within six days in February; firefighters said the second incident damaged about 50% of the top floor and was believed to be suspicious.
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Keighley councillor Caroline Firth described the blaze as a “disaster for Keighley” and said efforts had been made to save and regenerate the building, including a prospective new operator.
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Dalton Mills also suffered a serious fire in 2011, predating the major 2022 blaze and the more recent incidents.
A massive fire engulfed Dalton Mills in Keighley, Yorkshire, on Saturday evening, forcing firefighters to deploy 12 fire engines to battle the blaze. Yahoo News reported that the fire started at 20:00 BST at the Grade II-listed Victorian mill, a 150-year-old former textile factory that once employed over 2,000 people and served as a filming location for hit TV shows Peaky Blinders and Downton Abbey.
The incident marks the latest in a troubling pattern of fires at the site. GB News noted that the mill has suffered multiple blazes in recent years, including a major fire in 2022 and suspected deliberate fires in February that damaged roughly 50% of the top floor, raising serious concerns about the building's future.
A Lancashire Landmark Faces Repeated Devastation
Dalton Mills opened in 1869 and became one of Yorkshire's largest textile mills, driving the region's industrial boom for decades. Devon Live reported that the historic complex has served as a cultural landmark and filming location for major productions. The repeated fires have put the structure's survival in serious jeopardy.
Local councillor Caroline Firth called the blaze a "disaster for Keighley," noting that the community had worked hard to save and regenerate the building with plans for a new operator. The mill's deteriorating condition has made it increasingly vulnerable to fire damage.
A Troubling Pattern of Fires in Recent Years
The mill experienced a serious blaze in 2011, but fires intensified dramatically in 2022 with a major incident that caused severe damage. Then in February, the site caught fire twice within six days. According to firefighters, the second February blaze was suspected to be deliberate and destroyed about half of the top floor.
Each fire has weakened the structure further, raising questions about building safety and why the disused mill remains vulnerable. The escalating incidents suggest either negligence in site security or potential arson, both pointing to an urgent need for action.
Emergency Response and Road Closures Affect Community
The Saturday evening blaze forced emergency services to close Dalton Lane and establish cordons around the site. Yahoo News reported that police urged residents to keep doors and windows closed due to heavy smoke spreading across the area.
By Sunday, fire chiefs confirmed the blaze had been brought under control, though firefighters remained at the scene assessing damage. The incident disrupted the local community and raised fresh concerns about the site's future.
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