Bolton Road: Locals react to large fire at apartment block

Fire crews from across West Yorkshire scrambled to Bolton Road at about 8.30pm on Wednesday, with flames seen licking out of the top of the imposing building.

The fire took hold in the roof of the unoccupied eight-storey John Green building.

People were advised to avoid the area if possible with Bolton Road, between Scott Hill and Lower Kirkgate, closed both ways for much of Thursday.

The scene on Thursday morning (Image: Newsquest) By Thursday afternoon, West Yorkshire Fire & Rescue Service (WYFRS) said five crews and one aerial ladder remained at the scene.

Firefighters were using aerial apparatus in order to reach the flames to tackle the blaze.

There was still a large amount of smoke in the air, so residents were still being asked to keep doors and windows shut.

Structural engineers and fire service investigators were also at the scene.

West Yorkshire Police said the investigation was being led by the fire service, adding that they were on the scene to support with road closures.

Wednesday's blaze from a different angle (Image: Gazz Hall at The West Yorkshire News Telegraph) John Green building history

In June 2022, the West Yorkshire Fire Authority condemned the John Green Building and put a notice on the door to say it was 'prohibited' due to insufficient measures to reduce the risk of fire and the potential spread of fire on the premises.

It came after a previous fire broke out in the basement of the building. 

A closer look at the damage caused (Image: Newsquest) At the time, they said a number of measures needed to be taken before anyone could return to the building, including ensuring all flat doors could provide adequate fire resistance, ensuring robust measures were in place to prevent the build-up of combustible materials on escape routes, and making sure emergency lighting was working and functional at all times.

The blaze erupted at around 8.30pm on Wednesday (Image: Revd Pete Gunstone, Bradford Cathedral)'Fire engines and police everywhere'

Anthony Dunkin, manager of The Corn Dolly which is located nearby, spoke of his shock when he first saw the blaze.

He told the Telegraph & Argus: "It was us and the casino (Napoleons) that was still open (when it happened). 

Police and fire scrambled to the scene (Image: Revd Pete Gunstone, Bradford Cathedral) "They cordoned off the casino but gave us a little walkway so we stayed open.

"There were fire engines and police everywhere. 

"It was still burning as of this morning. I think they could be there for a day or two."

The watering down process began on Wednesday night (Image: Gazz Hall at The West Yorkshire News Telegraph) Councillors express concerns

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."

The fire went on into Thursday morning (Image: Revd Pete Gunstone, Bradford Cathedral)

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."

Smoke could be seen from across the city (Image: Revd Pete Gunstone, Bradford Cathedral) 'A tricky fire to extinguish'

Revd Pete Gunstone, of Bradford Cathedral, said: "At around 8.40pm, we noticed smoke and flames issuing from the roof of the building and fire appliances gathering.

"For the next hour or so, many more emergency services vehicles gathered and the police taped off the surrounding streets."

He added: "To a layperson, it appears to have been a tricky fire to extinguish.

"Although multiple fire appliances along with two long reach aerial platforms have been sent to the scene, the location of the fire seems to have made it difficult to extinguish it quickly.

"Flames are still evident at 10.30pm.

"We at Bradford Cathedral are praying for all those involved and affected."

Aerial appliances were needed (Image: Newsquest)

Full West Yorkshire Fire & Rescue Service statement

A spokesperson for West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service said: "Firefighters from across West Yorkshire are currently dealing with a high rise building fire on Bolton Road, Bradford.

"Fire involved in roof of eight-storey unoccupied apartment block. 

They added: "Residents local to Bolton Road are advised to keep doors and windows closed due to smoke in the vicinity.

"Please avoid the area where possible to allow emergency services to deal with the incident."