Calls for mill site to be secured after third fire

A community group and fire chiefs have called for more security at a historic mill after it was ravaged by a blaze for the third time this year.

Flames engulfed Dalton Mills in Keighley on Saturday night, prompting the evacuation of nearby homes.

Keighley Civic Society said the incident was "distressing" for the ownerless old textile mill's neighbours and said the Crown Estate, which is responsible for the building, was "dragging its feet" over putting effective security measures in place.

The Crown Estate, which operates as an independent commercial business managing property across the UK, has been contacted for comment.

At its peak, 12 fire engines were in attendance at Dalton Mills after the blaze broke out at around 20:00 BST on Saturday.

West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service said an investigation into the cause of the fire was "ongoing" but it was suspected to have been started deliberately.

Dalton Mills ceased to function as a textile mill in the 1980s. Later plans to turn the complex into an arts, cultural and wedding venue were never realised and the Crown took control of the site under ancient property laws in 2024 after its previous owner went bankrupt.

The Crown Estate sits between the public and private sectors, though its profits go to the Treasury, which then passes a portion on to the monarchy.

Emmerson Walgrove, chair of the Keighley Civic Society, told BBC Look North: "This has been going on now for a number of years and it seems nobody seems to know who is responsible.

"Dalton Mills is within the heritage of Keighley and therefore we need it restored. We do know a number of enquiries have been made to the Crown Estate. The Crown Estate seem to be dragging their feet for some reasons.

Walgrove added the situation "puts residents at risk because they do not know hour to hour, or day to day if they're safe while Dalton Mills is still unsecured."

Bradford Council said the site was a "complex legal issue due to a lack of identified owner" and that any action it took had to be "carefully considered" to avoid exposing taxpayers to future legal responsibilities and costs for the complex.

The authority's deputy leader Andrew Judson said: "Some measures were put in place by the council last year to restrict unauthorised access, but despite these efforts some individuals remain determined to target this historically significant building and put residents, businesses and the public at risk.

"We remain committed to supporting efforts to bring Dalton Mills back into use and to securing a viable future for the site under private ownership."

Benjy Bush, Bradford district commander at West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service, said: "From our point of view the site needs to be as secure as possible.

"We know children are going in and using it as a playground but it's increasingly dangerous for firefighters. I'm nervous now every time we have an incident at Dalton Mills sending firefighters in.

"There's holes in the floors and the structure is unstable."

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