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Demolition work finishes at fire-hit mill

Alex McIntyreWest Midlands
Up in the sky Droneography A large multi-storey building seen from the air at night with fire completely engulfing it.Up in the sky Droneography
Firefighters were called to the blaze at the Big Mill in Leek on Friday evening

The demolition of a 19th Century mill has finished, after it was severely damaged by a large fire which left the building structurally unsound.

Work at the Grade II-listed Big Mill in Leek, Staffordshire, began on Sunday after firefighters battled to extinguish the huge blaze which broke out on Friday evening.

More than 100 residents had to be evacuated from their homes but Staffordshire Moorlands District Council said they had all since returned.

On Tuesday afternoon, Staffordshire Fire and Rescue Service said demolition work at the Mill Street site had been completed and crews had withdrawn from the scene with the road reopened by the evening.

A spokesperson said: "We will continue to carry out periodic re-inspections at the site to make sure it is kept safe.

"Staffordshire Moorlands District Council will ensure that the site is left in a secured condition."

The wall of a historic mill building is being pulled down by a yellow mechanical device. There are bricks and debris falling as the wall begins to collapse.
Demolition work at Big Mill in Leek began on Sunday and finished on Tuesday

Many residents have been left saddened by the loss of the Big Mill, which was originally constructed in 1857 by architect William Sugden.

The council's leader, Mike Gledhill, said: "This was probably the best of Leek's mill buildings. It certainly lived up to its name. It is undoubtedly a major loss to the skyline."

He said the authority was grateful nobody was hurt and thanked emergency services for their "quick and brave response".

He also praised teams at the council for helping to accommodate those who had been displaced during the incident.

Firefighters and other responders in high-vis jackets stand in front of a burning building. There is a fire engine with its ladder raised and another engine closer to camera. it is night.
Six fire crews were at the scene at the height of the incident

"We are working closely with the owner of the site and our partners to ensure the safety of the site as it is now," Gledhill added.

"I would ask people in the area to look out for updates and to follow the advice given."

An 18-year-old man from Leek remains on conditional police bail after he was arrested on suspicion of arson with recklessness as to whether life was endangered.

As part of the investigation, Staffordshire Police said officers were keen to speak to people who have CCTV footage from Belle Vue Road, Mill Street, Hencroft and West Street.

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