18-Year-Old Released on Bail as Staffordshire Mill Fire Investigation Continues

An 18-year-old has been arrested on suspicion of arson after a major fire at the Grade II listed Big Mill in Leek, Staffordshire. The building is structurally unsound, with evacuations ongoing as the site is secured and investigations continue.

Ongoing Safety Measures at Historic Mill Fire Site

A cordon will remain in place around the site of a significant fire at the Grade II listed Big Mill in Leek, Staffordshire, over the next several days as efforts continue to secure the area.

Following an assessment on Saturday, parts of the building were deemed structurally unsound, raising concerns about potential collapse.

An 18-year-old individual has been arrested on suspicion of arson in connection with the fire, which led to the evacuation of multiple homes.

While some residents were permitted to return to their homes on Saturday, others were informed that it may take several days before they can safely re-enter their properties.

Residents of The Print Works, Belle Vue Road, and Albert Street were allowed to return, whereas evacuations for other areas remain enforced, according to Staffordshire Fire and Rescue Service.

Police vehicles guard a cordon at the bottom of a hill. There is a large mill structure in the background which appears to be derelict. Traffic cones and police tape also mark the perimeter of the cordon. — Emergency services say a cordon may remain in place for a numbers of days until the area is made safe

Fire Response and Structural Concerns

Fire crews were dispatched to Mill Street at 21:22 GMT on Friday. At the peak of the incident, six teams were engaged in firefighting efforts, with four teams still present on Saturday.

No injuries have been reported as a result of the fire.

Group manager Martin Weaver described the situation as challenging, emphasizing the building's unstable condition.

"It's still a really challenging incident at the minute,"

"The building is structurally unsound. We're working with the local authority building inspectors and we're going to have to bring it down to safe levels,"

he said.

He also noted that windy conditions posed a risk of parts of the building collapsing.

A man in an orange and white check jacket with high-vis stripes either side of the collar. He stands in front of a fire engine with ladder extended. A large mill building can be seen behind. — Staffordshire Fire and Rescue group manager Martin Weaver said part of the building would have to be demolished

Local Business Impact and Community Support

David Payne, co-owner of the nearby Mill Street Kitchen, shared that he kept his cafe open over the weekend to support emergency service personnel working at the scene.

He also operates a delivery service and reported that the closure of a major town route had significantly impacted his business operations.

Despite these challenges, Payne highlighted the strong sense of community in Leek.

"We've had people purposely come out of their way to try and support us - even if they've had to come on foot,"

he said.

A man wearing a blue top and a black apron is sitting in green wooden chair outdoors. He is looking directly at the camera. There is a lawn, a pathway and some fence panels behind him. — David Payne, who runs Mill Street Kitchen, said he kept his cafe open over the weekend to support emergency service crews

Historical Significance and Community Reflections

Linda McTigue, a former mill worker, recalled working in the building at age 17 in the embroidery silk yarn department.

She described the building as an eyesore that has deteriorated over the years.

"It has been an eyesore for a number of years,"

"It's sad that such a building has been left to go to rack and ruin."

"Something's got to change. They've either got to do something with it or have a feasible plan to not just let it stand and go to ruin."

The building's owner, Atique Choudhury, expressed his sadness and emotional investment in the property, noting efforts to develop it.

He submitted plans in 2019 to convert the mill into 55 flats.

Choudhury confirmed that the building has been secured for safety and that English Heritage has identified it for rescue.

Building History and Previous Uses

The six-storey mill, dating back to 1860 according to Historic England, is among the earliest large-scale mill buildings in Leek.

It ceased mill operations in the 1980s and subsequently housed a pine manufacturer and workshop.

The site has been derelict since 2007, as noted by local councillor Bill Cawley.

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. — Councillor Bill Cawley said the site had been derelict since 2007

Cawley, Labour representative for Leek West on Staffordshire Moorlands District Council, stated he had previously raised concerns about hazards and anti-social behavior at the location.