Latest fire at Peaky Blinders mill treated as arson

Police are investigating another suspicious fire at a Victorian mill that was used as a filming location for the TV drama Peaky Blinders.

West Yorkshire Police recorded the incident at Dalton Mills in Keighley on Tuesday evening as arson.

In August, two teenagers were convicted of arson in relation to a major fire at Dalton Mills in 2022, which destroyed a significant proportion of the building. There have been several more fires since.

A West Yorkshire Police spokesperson said "enquiries are in the early stages" and encouraged "anyone who witnessed anything suspicious" to inform the police.

West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue were called to the derelict mill on Dalton Lane shortly after 21:00 GMT on 10 December.

Five crews were sent to the scene from Shipley, Fairweather, Bradford, Illingworth and Stanningley.

The fire was on the fourth floor and crews used an aerial ladder, breathing apparatus, hose reels and jets to extinguish it.

Fire investigators reported the cause "application of naked flame to combustible materials".

Grade II-listed Dalton Mills has been empty since the 1980s and numerous potential buyers have expressed an interest in bidding for the property.

The fire on 3 March 2022 caused £15m of damage and destroyed the main building.

There has been concern in Keighley about poor security at the site, which has left it vulnerable to vandals and trespassers.

The Crown Estate took responsibility for Dalton Mills after the 2022 fire because the previous owner went bankrupt and a restoration project collapsed.

Listen to highlights from West Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, catch up with the latest episode of Look North or tell us a story you think we should be covering here.