Arson investigation into Prospect Mills fire Thornton Road, Bradford.

Fire crews were alerted to the mill fire at around 3 pm on Thursday 19th November . On arrival of the first crews from Fairweather Green and Bradford the Mill was alight on all floors. The Incident was made up to 6 pumps and 2 aerials the main Thornton road needing to be closed to traffic.

Police attended and closed surrounding areas as the fire was dealt with. Some of the top wall of the building had collapsed into Thornton road as the unoccupied building fire raged.  Local people watched the fire which quickly ripped through the building known as Prospect Mills. The  mill which had been empty for years was built in 1855






The mill had been involved in fire before including an arson attack in 2011 in another section of the mill. The road will be closed until at least tomorrow with buses being diverted.

Structural engineers will have to check the property to check the integrity of the structure, but all the floors and roof have been completely burnt away.

Fire crews used 2 Aerial appliances and 6 jets. There were also concerns in relation to asbestos in the smoke, all crews tackling the fire in smoke were warned to wear face masks. Some nearby residents were evacuated from properties alongside of the incident.

Update : Fire investigators and the Police are now treating the fire as Malicious ignition and are asking for anyone who may have seen anyone acting suspiciously around Prospect mills on Thursday afternoon to come forward. The mill has now been demolished due to the buildings unstable condition resulting from the fire. 

 Appliances attended from Bradford (2), Fairweather Green (1), Shipley (1), Illingworth (1), Odsal (1). Bingley (1), Rawdon (1), Idle (1), Morley, Stanningley (1 and Hoselayer) Fairweather Green ( Command Unit and Welfare Unit) and Halifax  (Carp ).