Fire at Peaky Blinders mill damages bus museum

Dalton Mills has been hit by a series of fires in the past few years

Firefighters were continuing to tackle a blaze at a derelict textile mill on Sunday morning as it emerged the flames had also caused damage to the nearby Keighley Bus Museum.

At the height of the fire on Saturday afternoon more than 20 fire engines were sent to Dalton Mills, with six engines and two aerial ladder platforms remaining at the scene on Sunday, West Yorkshire Fire Service said.

The 19th Century Grade II listed mill building has featured in TV dramas Peaky Blinders and Downton Abbey.

Bus museum chairman Norman Shepherd said embers from the mill fire had damaged the museum's roof, but none of its vehicles had been badly affected. A major clean-up operation was under way, he added.

He said: "The damage is mainly to the roof. Some embers from the mill fire landed on our roof, but luckily it hasn't all come in.

"It's now just wet and mucky. When we came in this morning the buses were swimming in it.

"There's a lot of work and cleaning up to do, but the vehicles are not so badly affected."

Keighley Bus Museum is home to 130 vehicles, including old buses, cars, police and fire vehicles. The museum took possession of the building in February 2024.

It has cancelled all events for the foreseeable future.

The fire destroyed much of the mill complex in March 2022

No casualties have been reported as a result of the blaze, but a fire service spokesperson asked people to "please avoid the area".

Dalton Mills was destroyed in a major fire in 2022, leading to two teenage boys being arrested and charged with arson.

Keighley MP Robbie Moore said it was "absolutely infuriating" to see another serious fire at the mill.

He said: "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.

"This current situation simply cannot continue.

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

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