Summary
A major fire damaged a historic mill in Leek, Staffordshire, on Friday night. The fire service responded with six fire engines, and people were advised to avoid the area. The building, a former silk mill from 1860, had been derelict since 2007, and plans to turn it into flats had been submitted in 2019.
Key Facts
- The fire occurred at The Big Mill in Leek, a building with historic status.
- Staffordshire Fire and Rescue Service dispatched six engines and an aerial ladder to fight the fire.
- The public was asked to avoid the area and to keep windows and doors shut.
- Crews continued to deal with hot spots after the main fire was extinguished.
- The building was built in 1860 and has been unused since 2007.
- In 2019, there was a plan to convert the building into 55 flats.
- Previous concerns about safety and antisocial behavior at the site were reported.
- Nearby streets were closed, affecting local businesses, such as Mill Street Kitchen.
