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Reader Malcolm Shaw's dramatic picture

ARSONISTS may have caused a major blaze at an Otley industrial site this week.

Sixty firefighters from across West Yorkshire were called out to tackle the fire at an empty, two storey building at Ashfield Works, off Westgate, on Monday.

The alarm was raised at 10.10pm and a total of six fire crews, plus two vehicles with hydraulic platforms, responded.

Firefighters were still on site until 1.30am dowsing the flames, which destroyed the building's roof. Some also stayed until morning to dampen down the ashes.

Fire investigators were also called to the site to try and trace the cause of the blaze, as were representatives from Leeds City Council (LCC), the landowners.

Vice Chairman of the West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Authority, Councillor Graham Kirkland (Lib Dem, Otley and Yeadon) said: "This was a really big fire.

"The call came in at 10.10pm and Otley fire brigade was there first, within about ten minutes, followed shortly afterwards by Rawdon.

"They were later joined by a total of six appliances and two aerial appliances, one from Leeds and one from Bradford. But the roof was beyond hope and I think it actually collapsed.

"The cause is being investigated and they cannot rule out arson.

"Structural engineers from the city council, which owns the site, have also been out to examine the building to see if it is safe.

"They might decide they have to knock it down.

"The council is selling the land but this will mean there will have to be a re-assessment now, so that could delay the process."

Coun Kirkland, recalling a spate of arson attacks in the town five years ago, is also hoping that if the Ashfield Works fire should indeed prove to have been started deliberately that those responsible are caught quickly.

He said: "The police have been assisting in this most recent incident from the beginning.

"I'm concerned that if it was arson that they make a serious attempt to catch whoever is responsible, because there are other buildings in the town that could be at risk."

lArsonists are also suspected of being behind two fires in March this year - at the former Pool-in-Wharfedale Paper Mills' sports and social club, on Pool Road, and at the derelict White Cross Amusement Arcade in Guiseley.

10:24am Thursday 3rd July 2008

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