Church Street, Boston Spa: Huge Fire Breaks Out in Derelict Building Near Leeds
A major fire has broken out at a derelict building on Church Street in Boston Spa, sending thick plumes of smoke into the sky and prompting a large emergency response from West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service. The blaze, which began in the early hours of Tuesday morning, has raised serious concerns among local residents and disrupted the normally quiet village atmosphere just outside of Leeds.
Fire crews were called to the scene shortly before 3:00 AM and arrived to find the building — a long-abandoned structure thought to have once been a former hotel or care home — fully engulfed in flames. Eight fire engines, including specialist units, were dispatched from stations across Leeds and Wetherby to battle the blaze.
Crews fought throughout the night and into the morning to bring the fire under control, using aerial ladder platforms to tackle the flames from above while teams worked on the ground to prevent the spread of fire to adjacent properties. Although the derelict building was unoccupied, fire officials said there was always a risk of structural collapse or the fire spreading due to windy conditions.
A spokesperson for West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue said:
_”We were called to a significant fire on Church Street, Boston Spa, involving a disused building. Our teams have worked tirelessly to contain the blaze and prevent it from impacting surrounding homes and businesses. Fortunately, there are no reported injuries at this stage.”_
Residents in the area were advised to keep their windows and doors closed due to the dense smoke drifting through the village. Several roads, including parts of Church Street, were cordoned off by police to allow emergency services to operate safely.
One local resident, Jane Holloway, who lives just a few streets away, described being woken by a “loud crackling noise” and seeing flames through her window:
_”It was terrifying. I looked out and saw the building completely alight. The smoke was everywhere, and you could feel the heat from across the street.”_
Another resident said the building had been a concern for years. “It’s been an eyesore for ages, and lots of people were worried about safety. Something like this felt inevitable,” they added.
The cause of the fire is not yet known, but fire investigators and police are expected to begin examining the scene once it is declared safe to enter. Arson has not been ruled out, and authorities are urging anyone with information or who may have seen suspicious activity in the area to come forward.
Local councillor Dan Cohen responded to the incident, saying:
_”This is a deeply concerning event for our community. Thankfully, no injuries have been reported, but it raises questions about the safety of unused buildings in our area. I’ll be working with authorities to ensure proper follow-up and accountability.”_
As of Tuesday afternoon, crews remained on site damping down hot spots. The incident serves as a stark reminder of the risks associated with neglected properties and the importance of monitoring vacant buildings in residential areas.
Read more on;https://www.sportupdates.co.uk
Leave a Reply