UPDATE: Fire at TV transmitter which knocked out signal across North Yorkshire
Six fire engines were tackling a fire at Bilsdale north of Helsmley
Last updated 11th Aug 2021
North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service (NYFR) say the area around the Bilsdale transmitter - which gives TV signals to around one million people across North Yorkshire and Teesside - is now secure.
The service attended a fire at the Bilsdale transmitting centre yesterday (Wednesday 10 August) and have put a 300m exclusion zone in place until the site operator can confirm that the tower is structurally secure.
In a statement, NYFR said: "When the site is safe North Yorkshire Fire & Rescue Service will return for a closer examination. This will allow us to positively confirm that the fire has been extinguished and to begin the process of investigating the cause of the fire.
"At this time there is nothing to suggest that the first is the result of any criminal activity but this cannot be confirmed until a closer examination has been carried out.
"We continue to work with the site operator Arqiva to ensure the safely of all those involved in the investigation operation."
Six fire engines were tackling the fire at the TV transmitter on the North York Moors from around 3pm yesterday afternoon.
Thousands of homes across North Yorkshire and Teesside are still without TV signals since the blaze started.
Operators say TV services will be out "indefinitely" after the mast caught fire.
The blaze at the one-thousand foot Bilsdale transmitter on the North York Moors was reportedly caused by a lightning strike.
The operator says it's bringing in temporary equipment, but couldn't confirm when broadcasts will resume.