Video: Firefighters praised after tackling huge mill blaze in Batley

Firefighters from eight stations were called yesterday (Thursday) to tackle the blaze at on Grange Road, Batley.

Smoke from the fire at the three-storey Greenhill Mills could be seen for miles after emergency services were called.

West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service Area Manager Nick Smith, who attended the incident, 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 to 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.”

Firefighters from Dewsbury, Cleckheaton, Leeds, Morley and Ossett were originally called to the blaze and were joined by crews from Mirfield, Wakefield and Hunslet.

Crews used four breathing apparatus and two large jets to extinguish the fire.