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A huge fire has ripped through a Grade II-listed building in Leek, Staffordshire.
Flames appeared to decimate the interior of the six-storey building on Mill Street, with fire crews rushing to the scene to try tackle the blaze.
The orange sky is reportedly visible from up to six miles away and emergency services have warned locals to stay away from the inferno.
The fire service have confirmed that there are six crews attending the blaze as well as an aerial ladder.
The building known as Big Mill has planning permission for around 34 flats but is currently unoccupied.
Videos of the fire showed a huge plume of smoke above the building as well as what appeared to be ash and debris falling away from the block.
The historic mill was built in 1857 and housed the silk manufacturing firm Wardle and Davenport but is now one of the many derelict mills in the area which was once renowned for its textile industry.
The A523 is also blocked in both directions due to the fire from Church Street to Churnet way, according to traffic monitoring system Inrix.
Flames appeared to decimate the interior of the seven-storey building on Mill Street, with fire crews rushing to the scene to try tackle the blaze
The building known as Big Mill has planning permission for around 34 flats but is currently unoccupied
One resident nearby, Katherine McEwan, said as of 12pm the mill was ‘still on fire but more smoky now I’ve closed my windows’.
The fire has been seen as fire as Sneyd Green, more than 8.5 miles away, and Brown Edge, six miles away.
The local community have begun sharing their heartbreak over the loss of the building, with Stephen Ellis writing he is ‘truly devastated for Leek. Such a sad and terrible sight to see. Huge loss’.
Melodie Forrester added: ‘Heart breaking. Hope everyone is safe. Sending much love to Leek.’
Joanne Jervis said: ‘This is SO sad.’
Lorraine Goodwin wrote: ‘Such a shame. My mum worked there many moons ago making stockings.’
Staffordshire Fire and Rescue Service have said: ‘We have six crews and an aerial ladder platform at the scene of a large fire at The Big Mill, Mill Street, Leek.
‘Crews are asking people not to drive near the area as this is making things more difficult. Please keep doors and windows closed.’
This is a breaking story, more to follow.
