Hundreds of council tenants in Bingley were advised to keep their windows shut after a mill fire released fumes feared to be contaminated with asbestos.

Vandals are being blamed for the major blaze yesterday which engulfed the fourstorey Charles Walker mill building, at Dobb Kiln Lane, Dowley Gap.

The fire destroyed a cement roof containing asbestos and the crews of six fire pumps were joined at the scene by senior brigade officials skilled in dealing with chemical incidents.

The fire service was also in close touch with the Environment Agency over possible contamination of the surrounding countryside.

And firefighters had to pump huge amounts of water from the Leeds-Liverpool canal next to the mill yard.

Assistant Divisional Officer John Davies said; "We trained three large jets on the fire and we were using 750 litres of water per minute - this went on for about an hour.

"At first appearance, it looks as if this fire was due to vandalism. Businesses need to be reminded to be vigilant against vandals. It's a tremendous waste of resources and with a little bit of care - locking doors and keeping a perimeter fence intact - you could save a lot of trouble."

He said fire investigating officers, the brigade safety officer and a hazardous substances officer were at the scene.

Officers were also liaising with British Waterways and Environment Agency officials.

Tenants in the nearby high-rise flats at Crosley Wood were advised to keep their windows shut and the canal towpath was shut to keep people away from the scene.

"The risk from the asbestos was minimal - it was only sheet asbestos roofing - but we were being ultra cautious," said ADO Davies.

"We can't stop the stuff going up into the air but we like to try and keep people away from the worst of it."

Police closed Wagon Lane to traffic while the blaze was brought under control between 4pm and 6pm.