An 18-year-old man from Leek has been arrested on suspicion of arson with recklessness as to whether life was endangered, following a catastrophic fire that reduced a historic Grade II-listed building to ruins. The blaze tore through The Big Mill on Mill Street in Leek, North Staffordshire, late on Friday night, completely hollowing out the structure and destroying its roof and six floors.
Emergency Response and Evacuations
Emergency services were alerted at 9.35pm on Friday to reports of the fire at the landmark building. Six fire crews and an aerial ladder platform from Staffordshire Fire and Rescue Service were deployed to tackle the intense blaze at its height. Nearby homes were evacuated as a precaution, with around 40 people displaced and officers assisting in arranging temporary housing through the nearby Co-op on West Street.
Residents in the vicinity were advised to keep their windows and doors closed due to thick smoke billowing from the building. Fortunately, no injuries were reported despite the scale of the destruction. Smoke continued to rise from the smouldering ruins into Saturday morning, with two roads—the A523 Mill Street and Bellevue—remaining closed in both directions as a result of the incident.
Historical Significance and Community Reaction
The historic mill, constructed in 1857, originally housed the silk manufacturing firm Wardle and Davenport. It stands as one of the earliest mill buildings on such a scale in Leek, representing a key part of the town's industrial heritage in an area once renowned for its textile industry. However, in recent years, it had become derelict, though it reportedly had planning permission for approximately 34 flats and was currently unoccupied.
Local councillor Joe Porter expressed profound sadness online, describing the mill as "one of Leek’s most iconic landmarks" and emphasising that historic buildings like this are "pieces of our national heritage" that cannot be truly replaced once lost. He praised the efforts of firefighters and emergency services, while other community members, such as Stephen Ellis and Melodie Forrester, shared sentiments of devastation and heartbreak over the loss.
Investigation and Aftermath
The arrested teenager remains in police custody as investigations continue into the cause of the fire, which was visible from as far as Sneyd Green, over 8.5 miles away, and Brown Edge, six miles away. Staffordshire Fire and Rescue Service urged the public to avoid the area to facilitate their operations and reiterated safety advice regarding smoke exposure.
This incident highlights ongoing concerns about the preservation of historic structures, with Councillor Porter noting that such buildings often face neglect and deserve better protection and care. The community now grapples with the aftermath of losing a cherished piece of local history, as authorities work to secure the site and support affected residents.
