A large fire broke out at the historic Dalton Mills in Keighley on Saturday night, forcing nearby residents from their homes as emergency services responded to the scene.

The Grade II-listed former textile mill in Yorkshire, which has served as a filming location for hit television dramas including Downton Abbey and Peaky Blinders, saw flames tearing through its roof at roughly 8pm, casting an orange glow across the night sky.

West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue confirmed that 12 fire engines were deployed to the disused building as thick smoke poured into the air, visible from miles away. Dozens of firefighters rushed to the scene as the blaze continued to spread.

Because of the intensity of the incident and the smoke affecting nearby streets, emergency responders moved quickly to evacuate people living close to the site.

West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue explained the precautionary action in a statement: "Due to the severity of the incident and the potential risk to residents a number of nearby residents are now being evacuated."

Local Authority Emergency Planning officers were sent to the area to assist those displaced. The fire service confirmed: "Local Authority Emergency Planning officers are on scene and are providing support and guidance to those affected by the evacuation."

The fire service also urged those caught up in the disruption to follow official updates, adding: "If you are impacted, Local Authority Emergency Planning teams will communicate directly with you and provide further information and advice. We would like to thank residents for their cooperation and patience while our crews continue to tackle this incident."

Passers-by travelling near the site quickly noticed the scale of the emergency. One witness driving along the nearby A650 told the Telegraph and Argus: "I was driving down the A650 and I could just see all this smoke. I pulled over to have a look and I couldn't believe the size of the fire. It's unbelievable."

Dalton Mills dates back to 1869 and carries significant local history. It was once claimed to be the largest textile mill in Yorkshire, employing 2,000 workers at the height of the Industrial Revolution. Following the decline of Britain's textile industry, the mill stood practically empty up until 2004.

The landmark has also experienced a series of damaging fires over recent years. A blaze hit the site in 2011, followed by a major fire in March 2022 that required more than 100 firefighters and 20 engines to tackle. A further fire broke out at the location in July 2025, which also required 12 fire engines.

What we don't know yet is how this latest fire started, or how much structural damage the historic site has suffered inside. Fire investigators will not be able to carry out full assessments until the building and perimeter are made safe.

Emergency crews and local authority teams will remain on site to manage the incident and support those who have been evacuated. I'll be following this one — check back for updates.