Drummond Mill fire five years ago today

Within a week the sprawling 10-acre Manningham site - a leading part of Bradford’s global textile empire - was rubble.

Around 125 firefighters tackled the blaze which started shortly after 11am and raged through the day and night. Surrounding Lumb Lane was closed and residents were evacuated. Firefighters were still putting out fire pockets days later.

Despite heroic efforts to stop it spreading from a basement, the fire quickly reached adjacent mill buildings. Ian Bicton, West Yorkshire Assistant Chief Fire Officer, said: “Throughout my career I can honestly say I have never seen firefighters work as hard as they did to try to knock this fire back.”

A firefighter later spoke of the moment he and colleagues ran for their life as the fire came close to engulfing them: “We were fighting to get out. The flames came at us across the roof.”

People living nearby were taken to Richard Dunn Sports Centre for food and drink while arrangements were made for Travelodge to take them in for the night. Other residents stayed with family and friends. Mohammed Ashraf of Jinnah Court, 100 yards from the mill chimney, fled with his wife and young children. “We were very scared,” he said. “Everyone was helping each other.” Ruksana Ahmed watched the mill collapse from her window off White Abbey Road. “It was like an earthquake,” she said.

Nayim Rehman spoke of panic as smoke smothered the area. “At 3pm we heard loud bangs. There was debris falling and thick black fog that hurt your throat. The whole street was panicking, it was havoc. Even the fire crews had to move back.”

Generations of families worked at the mill. “It’s been part of Bradford’s skyline for so long. Losing it feels like a bereavement,” said Sue Parker, whose father worked there for 40 years.

Demolition work began a week later, with a team from Thomas Crompton Demolition spending days and nights bringing down what remained of the Grade II-listed mill. First came the gable ends, then the multi-storey building. Mr Crompton spoke of his dismay at demolishing the Victorian complex. “It’s a sad day,” he said. “It was a working building. I don’t get any pleasure pulling these buildings down.”

Businesses and arts and community organisations renting units there were in shock. Neighbouring businesses felt the impact too. A mill wall fell onto the Sweet Centre cafe on Lumb Lane, causing the ceiling to collapse. Owner Liaquat Habib said the fire was the worst thing to hit his business in its 50-year history.

At the Barracks Tavern, Lumb Lane, landlady Carol Marshall was in tears as the mill came down. She said friends in America had been in touch about the fire. “ I feel like I've lost my arm,” she told the T&A. “Some customers worked there. They’re devastated.”

Mohammed Zahoor of Universal Clothing in the mill complex said: “We were trying to save our stock when they told us to get out. It was knee high with water.” Lumb Lane mini-market owner Marfat Ullah helped evacuate residents. “I was scared the wind would blow flames or burning debris onto houses,” he said.

Councillor Ishtiaq Ahmed called the blaze a big blow for Manningham, adding: “An iconic building has gone up in smoke.”

Drummond Mill was one of the region’s largest employers and a pioneer of worsted coating. Founded by James Drummond, it was built in 1861, a Lockwood and Mawson design. As well as the main structure and landmark tower, it had one of the district’s biggest weaving sheds, with hundreds of looms and engine house. In the early 20th century it was acquired by Solomon Selka and Berthold Reif and in the 1940s it was taken on by Ossie Stroud and James Riley. After the war Drummond Mill employed many people from Eastern Europe, Pakistan, Italy and Ireland.

Despite the textile decline, Drummond Mill continued to thrive. In 1984 it was awarded the Queen’s Award for Export. In 1998 it produced fabric for British team uniforms at the Commonwealth Games. In 1999, it announced £1m profit and invested £2m in high-speed looms and finishing equipment. It closed in 2001.

The site has stood vacant since the fire. In 2019 a ‘sold’ sign went up, sparking hope of regeneration. A marketing brochure said the site was “considered suitable for a variety of commercial, residential and other uses” but the buyer's identity was under wraps. This week the T&A reported that the site is included in a list of possible housing sites.

Sweet Centre owner Zulficar Ali said: “Any new development would uplift the area. It’s a poor sight. People think businesses here are all shut, even now.”