Fire boss gives update on Bradford tyre blaze

West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service (WYFRS) and key partners in the response to the fire in Bradford are thanking the community for their support and patience while they tackle the fire, and are asking people to stay safe while work continues.

West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service was called just after 3am on Monday, to reports of a fire on Upper Castle Street in Bradford.

Fire engines headed to the scene immediately and within the first couple of hours there were almost 100 WYFRS firefighters and officers on the scene tackling the blaze, with 15 fire engines and two aerial ladder appliances in attendance.

The multi-agency response has seen WYFRS, West Yorkshire Police, the Environment Agency, Bradford Council, Public Health England and other key partners work together to get the blaze under control and keep people in the surrounding area safe.

Numerous roads in the area have been closed and rail services that run through Bradford Interchange have been affected. Click here to get the latest information on Northern services.

Last night there were still around 60 firefighters and WYFRS officers on the scene working to bring the fire under control, including specialist teams using foam.

District Commander for Bradford in WYFRS, Benjy Bush, said: “Crews have been working tirelessly over the last 38 hours to bring this fire under control, and we are succeeding but there is still work to be done.

“Since yesterday morning our crews have been using aerial appliances and our specialist high volume pump to tackle the blaze. Today, we introduced foam to further tackle the flames that are still burning. This can generate more smoke, and with the amount already significant we would like to remind people to stay inside as much as possible and keep their windows and doors shut.

“We and our partners are absolutely committed to keeping people safe and we will continue to work night and day until this incident is resolved.”

Bradford Council Chief Executive, Kersten England, said: “I want to thank West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service for the work they’ve put in round the clock to deal with this huge fire. It’s been really hard for local people and businesses.

“We have had teams working night and day to help support residents and businesses affected and will continue to do so for as long as is necessary.

“Anyone in an area affected by the smoke is asked to please continue to follow the advice to stay indoors with their windows and doors closed.

“This is a major incident and it has required a major response from the Fire Service as well as colleagues in West Yorkshire Police, the Environment Agency, Public Health England, the Council and other key partners all working together to keep people safe.”

A spokesperson for the Environment Agency said: “Our officers have been on site throughout the night and are still there providing advice to the fire service and our partners to help control the fire. They are also working to ensure fire-fighting water does not present a flood risk to nearby properties.

“We are also monitoring the water quality of Bowling Beck to ensure that no pollution is coming from the fire or from firefighting surface water.

“We are investigating the operators of this site following reports to our Incident Hotline about the suspected illegal storage of waste tyres. There are strict rules governing the storage of waste tyres, which are designed to help prevent fires and to protect people and the environment. Our immediate priority is to support the multi-agency response.”

Public Health England advice is that as smoke can be an irritant and if people need to be outdoors they are advised to avoid outside areas affected by any smoke or ash, or to limit the time that they spend in them.

Some of the substances present in smoke can irritate the lining of the air passages, the skin and the eyes. Respiratory symptoms include coughing and wheezing, breathlessness, sputum (phlegm) production and chest pain. If symptoms occur, people should seek medical advice or call NHS 111.

Chemicals in the smoke can worsen existing health problems like asthma. People with asthma should carry their inhaler.

These are the roads currently closed (as of 7.13am on Wednesday morning):

• Albany Street

• Springmill Street junction Manchester Road

• Parma Street junction Spring Mill St

• Wood Road junction Spring Mill Street junction Tilley Square

• Ripley Street junction Upper Castle Street

• Bowling Old Lane junction Manchester Road

• Mill Lane junction Manchester Road

• Mill Lane junction Ripley Street

• Ripley Street junction Manchester Road

• Ripley Street junction Ripley Road plus hose

• Nelson Street junction Caledonia Street

• Fitwilliam Street junction Mill Lane

• Bowling Old Lane junction Ripley Street

• Caledonia Street junction Edward Street

• Croft Street junction Nelson Street

Bradford Council have also confirmed some nearby schools are staying shut today. They include:

• Barkerend Primary Leadership Academy

• Bronte Girls' Academy

• Dixons Free Sixth Form

• Lapage Primary School and Nursery

• Rainbow Primary School

• Byron Primary School

• Dixons Marchbank Primary

• St Mary's and St Peter's Catholic Primary School

• Dixons City Academy

• Killinghall Primary School

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