Bolton Road fire: Councillors speak of their concerns

Crews were scrambled to Bolton Road, near the city centre, at around 8.30pm on Wednesday. 

The fire took hold in the roof of an eight-storey unoccupied apartment block.

Flames could still be seen above a building this morning.

As of 7am, two aerial appliances remained at the scene along with three crews.

Bolton Road remains closed both ways from Stott Hill to Lower Kirkgate.

🚒We currently have five crews and one aerial ladder at the building fire on Bolton Road in Bradford.

🧑‍🚒While they work we are asking the public to keep doors and windows closed due to the smoke in the air.

🚨Road closures are also in place - please avoid the area if possible pic.twitter.com/38sBATLMhO

— West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service (@WYFRS) October 3, 2024

City Ward Councillor Rizwan Saleem (The Bradford Independents Group) said: "It is devastating for all residents and businesses in the local area."

He said he has concerns over the number of fires in unoccupied buildings across Bradford.

"Fires like this one last night not only inconvenience residents but they put a strain on our emergency services.

"We need to look as a city at what we can do to address that."

Cllr Saleem added: "It happens all too often in Bradford in places like Thornton Road, Sunbridge Road, and now this one near the city centre.

"The concern about where the fire was last night, it is a built-up area.

"It is a major concern that we need to look at."

Fellow City Ward Councillor Nazam Azam (Labour) also expressed his concern.

"It is devastating to see such a fire," he told the T&A.

"I am hopeful that the fire investigation can get to the bottom of what has caused such a large-scale fire and disruption to the area.

"Some of the pictures and video that I have seen show that it was really devastating.

"I absolutely encourage people to abide by the guidance from the fire service."