Teenager arrested after fire at Grade II listed mill

A teenager has been arrested on suspicion of arson after a fire tore through a Grade II listed mill in Staffordshire, police have said.

Nearby residents were evacuated as a precaution when the blaze broke out at the Big Mill in the market town of Leek on Friday evening.

Staffordshire Police said in a statement they were called at about 9.35pm to reports that the historic building was on fire.

The force said an 18-year-old man from Leek was arrested on suspicion of arson with recklessness as to whether life was endangered.

He remains in custody.

The Historic England website says the six-storey building was built in about 1860 and is an important example of a large-scale mill used in the silk industry.

Staffordshire Fire and Rescue said on Saturday they were still working at the scene after being notified at 9.22pm on Friday when “smoke and flames were seen coming out of the building on Mill Street”.

Six crews worked to contain the blaze at its height, with four crews remaining by midday on Saturday.

While the blaze is under control, it is yet to be extinguished because firefighters are unable to enter the building, the fire service added.

No-one has been reported injured.

Residents living nearby have been advised to keep their windows and doors closed due to the “excess smoke still coming from the building”.

Station manager Jonathan Ashby said: “The fire is under control but has yet to be extinguished as crews are unable to enter the building at this time.

“The large cordon is still in place and we’re expected to be in the area for some time whilst we work to bring the incident to a safe and swift conclusion.”

The fire service said that the cause will be determined after an investigation.