Dalton Mills hit by fifth major fire in five years

Dalton Mills, a Grade II listed Victorian textile mill in Keighley, has been struck by its fifth major fire in five years. The derelict site, known for its appearances in television series such as ‘Peaky Blinders’ and ‘Downton Abbey’, suffered a significant blaze on Saturday evening.

West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service (WYFRS) advised the public to avoid the area and facilitated the evacuation of several nearby residents due to the severity of the incident and potential risks.

Robbie Moore, the MP for Keighley and Ilkley, expressed frustration over the recurring incidents, stating, ‘This situation just simply cannot continue.’ He noted that he has been calling on local authorities to secure the site for years. The mill has a history of fire damage, including an arson attack in 2011, a blaze in 2022 that destroyed the interior, and further arson in 2025. In February 2026, WYFRS identified two separate blazes at the location within six days as being ‘deliberate’.