Peaky Blinders set blaze was ‘arson’ as 5 arrested for Dalton Mills fire
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Police have arrested fire people after a blaze that destroyed the Peaky Blinders film set.
A statement from West Yorkshire Police read: "Police are treating a fire at Dalton Mills in Keighley yesterday (Thursday 3 March) as arson.
Officers were called to the fire on Dalton Lane shortly after 12pm yesterday afternoon.
No one was in the building at the time.
Five arrests have been made and the investigation is ongoing.
The fire broke out at around 12pm on Thursday, March 3, in Dalton Lane, West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue said.
Video from the scene showed smoke pouring from the building – known as a location for TV hits Peaky Blinders and Downton Abbey – as fire crews attempt to keep the situation under control.
Dalton Mills fire: Raging inferno destroys Peaky Blinders and Downton Abbey film set
The fire service sent 20 crews to contain the fire, which has severely damaged the Grade II listed building.
Bradford CID say they would like to appeal for any witnesses who may have seen anything suspicious around 11.30am – 12pm. They are also looking for drivers who were in the area at the time who might have dash cam to come forward.
Any information can be given to Bradford CID via 101 or the live chat facility at www.westyorkshire.police.uk/contactus quoting crime ref 13220116901.
Information can also be given to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111
Keighley mayor Julie Adams said the fire at Dalton Mill was "devastating" for the town.
She said: "It's such an iconic building. It's very tragic."
District councillor Mohammed Nazam said: "It's a sad day for Keighley.
"We have lost one of the historic buildings in the town."
In addition to being a familiar sight to fans of Peaky Blinders, the historic mill has been used as a set for The Great Train Robbery and Downton Abbey, as well as the 2016 feature film The Limehouse Golem, starring Bill Nighy.
Richard Knight, from Screen Yorkshire, told BBC News the disused mill was "a destination in its own right".
The building was once the biggest textile mill in Yorkshire and a major regional employment hub with around 2,000 workers.
Fire broke out at the site in 2011, and on hat occasion police suspected that scrap metal thieves may have inadvertently sparked the blaze as they tried to burn off insulation to steal copper.
The complex fell into disrepair before being partially restored and taken off English Heritage's at-risk register in 2015.
- Fire
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