Areas used by Bradford's homeless becoming fire 'hotspots'

Midland Mills and the Forster Square rail arches have been highlighted as two hotspot areas for fires over the past two years.

Firefighters say on visits to such sites, they have seen fires lit by homeless people, for warmth or to cook food, burning next to piles of combustible material, or left unattended.

At a meeting of West Yorkshire Fire Authority’s Community Safety Committee on Friday, members will hear what the service is doing to try to safeguard some of the city’s most vulnerable people from this fire risk.

A report on the Bradford Homeless Outreach Partnership will be given to councillors from across West Yorkshire, and it says over recent months crews have offered rough sleepers advice on fire safety, as well as where they can go to get further support.

The report includes a photograph taken during a visit to one derelict city centre mill that shows a makeshift bed and shelter that had been created by someone squatting in the huge property.

Midland Mills (Image: T&A)

The report says: “Bradford has some of the highest rates of deliberate fire setting in the country; with a combination of high deprivation and antisocial behaviour, it has led to several wards becoming major hotspots.

“Incident data shows that whilst overall fire incidents have reduced, Bradford’s deliberate fires remain stubbornly high.

“Around two thirds of all incidents in Bradford are deliberate fires.

“Many are ‘secondary’ fires, such as rubbish fires or small grass fires. High levels of fly-tipping are significantly contributing to an increase in deliberate fires.

“We have identified a specific trend with deliberate fires at several locations across the city, where homeless people are living. This has prompted a targeted approach with partners to try and address this issue.”

The report goes on to say the service has been working with charities like Simon on the Streets and New Vision in recent months, and there have been visits to derelict buildings and other areas frequented by people looking for shelter and warmth.

It adds: “The initiative is about giving advice to homeless people, to reduce the risk of a serious injury from fire to themselves, other people and to property.”

It goes on to list the four main hotspot areas in the city where “(fire) incidents were high and increasing in the past two years.”

They are:

• The Railway Arches at Bradford Forster Square Station – these were recently fenced off by Bradford Council and Network Rail
• Cape Street Mill, also known as Midland Mills, a derelict building between Shipley Airedale Road and Forster Square Retail park
• The John Green Building – a building on Bolton Road that was shut for safety reasons over two years ago. There was a major fire at the property last week, after the Fire Service’s report was written
• Rawson Square – a semi sheltered pedestrian area next to two large empty shops, the former Wilko and the former B&M.

Tents at Rawson Place earlier this Summer (Image: T&A)

The report adds: “We initially visited Bradford’s railway arches along with the outreach team to understand some of the issues.

“Among the concerns identified were homeless people starting fires close to piles of combustible refuse and leaving fires unattended with a risk of fires spreading.

“Local fire crews and other partners engaged with homeless people over several weeks, carrying out organised visits to high-risk areas. Firefighters and partners educated them around the dangers and risks involved with fire.

“Cape Street Mill and the John Green Building are also areas in the city that been visited over the last few months.

“The discussions and engagement have not only focussed on reducing the deliberate fire setting in these locations, but also offered wider advice and support to individuals.

“This work has allowed fire crews to engage directly with vulnerable homeless people and understand the daily challenges they face.

“This engagement has allowed crews to deliver key safety messaging and education.

“Many of the ‘hot spot’ areas have shown a reduction in fires, and partners have reported a decrease in vulnerable homeless people.

“The railway arches have now been boarded up which eliminates congregation and rough sleeping.”