Fire crews from around West Yorkshire have dealt with a Large Mill fire in Batley today. The building has been totally destroyed in the fire which began at around 11:30 this morning. The incident took hold of Greenhill Mills.
It is thought to be a textile mill and according to its website, the firm is a family run business that recycles and exports second-hand clothing to Africa, Eastern Europe and Asia, and has been running for more than 30 years. Initial reports told of flames which burnt through the roof with clouds of black smoke given off which could be seen from as far away as Wakefield.
Several loud explosions, could be heard which were gas bottles going off. Flames were pouring out of the building and the wind direction changed. which didn't help the firefighting operations.
Surrounding homes and businesses were evacuated as the building became unstable with fears of collapse
Crews experienced problems with getting water supplies to the scene and a hose layer was brought in to bring water from hydrants further away from the incident. The fire is now under control and the incident scaled down, a gable end of the building has since collapsed.
Statement from Fire Service
West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service Area Manager Nick Smith, who attended today’s Batley mill fire, has praised firefighters for their quick and effective response to tackling the large blaze. He said: “This was a mill building used predominantly for textiles and when crews arrived the building was well alight, with the fire spreading quickly. Firefighters worked in very difficult, windy conditions to prevent the very real danger of the fire spreading to neighbouring buildings. The mill was also at risk of collapse, which posed further difficulties for firefighter safety.
“Crews quickly evacuated people from nearby properties and contained the fire. It was a tremendous effort from all firefighters, who made the lives of nearby people their priority, and I applaud their quick thinking and hard work.” He added: “Crews were aware that the water supply in the immediate area around Greenhill Mills, Batley, was not sufficient for the scale and seriousness of the fire, therefore they had to find hydrants further afield to tackle the fire. This is quite common when dealing with fires of this scale.”
The incident increased to 10 Pumps with appliances attending from Dewsbury (2), Cleckheaton, Mirfield, Ossett, Morley, Hunslet, Bradford, Pontefract, Fairweather Green, Wakefield, Killingbeck, Castleford and Leeds. Crews used 2 aerial appliances, 5 Large Jets, and 1 Ground monitor. Water Relay was also set up and the fireground sectorised.
The fire caused and continues to cause traffic problems around the Grange Road, Bradford road area. There have been reports that the front gable end has collapsed.
Damping down is continuing at the scene and a structural engineer will be called into to further assess the building.
Video link to fire below:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t63alMefVSQ
