Experts are deciding how much of a Grade II-listed mill that was gutted by fire can be salvaged.

Conservation officers are investigating the roofless and charred remains of a section of Dalton Mills, in Keighley, that was engulfed by flames on New Year’s Day.

They have met owners of the building, Magna Holdings, on the site in Dalton Lane, to see what can be preserved.

Digby Lovel, a director of Magna, said: “We are looking to see what can be saved.

“We know a small section which is dangerous and badly damaged will have to come down but we want to conserve as much as possible.

“Building control officers and conservation officers from Bradford Council have been down to look.

“We are breathing a sigh of relief it was not worse than it was.”

He said the mill complex was still up for sale and negotiations were continuing.

His colleague, Martin Whiteley, managing director of Magna, said: “The fire brigade did a magnificent job of containing the fire and we’d like to thank them for that.”

More than 100 firefighters fought the blaze which investigating officers believe was started deliberately.

They suspect there may have been people inside the building before the outbreak.

The fire was one of 1,300 incidents attended by fire crews over the 15 day festive period – 300 up on the same period last year.

Deputy Chief Fire Officer Steve Beckley said: “There was a huge spike in activity between December 30 and January 3, but more significantly many of the jobs we handled were extremely serious, including the massive blaze which destroyed Dalton Mills.”

Flooding also was a problem with the brigade handling 60 calls on December 22 and 30 on Christmas Day.

“With the county still struggling to escape from one of the coldest snaps since 1890, I appeal to everyone to make a New Year’s Resolution to take that bit of extra care so we can all enjoy a safer 2011,” he said.