Fire Breaks Out at Historic Mill
A significant fire erupted at The Big Mill, a Grade II listed historic building located on Mill Street in Leek, Staffordshire.
Staffordshire Fire and Rescue Service dispatched six fire engines to the scene at 21:22 GMT on Friday to combat the blaze.
The fire service advised the public to avoid driving near the former silk mill, citing that traffic was "making things difficult." They also urged local residents to keep their windows and doors closed for safety.
Ongoing Firefighting Efforts
On Saturday, a spokesperson from the fire service reported that the main flames had been largely extinguished. However, crews remained on site managing a substantial number of hotspots and were expected to continue their efforts for an extended period.
"The area was still best avoided,"the spokesperson added, noting that four fire appliances were still operating behind the building on Belle Vue Road.
Fire officials confirmed they had received a total of 118 calls regarding the incident.
Impact and Community Response
Residents in the vicinity observed that by 23:00 the building appeared to be "completely burned out."
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