Blaze drama at former Gomersal office building

Firefighters were called to a blaze at a Gomersal office building today.

Five engines were called to former offices of Maccess, in Nibshaw Lane, at 2.10pm, with around 25 firefighters tackling the blaze.

Flashing lights and smoke could be seen from the top of Spen Lane, as the flames licked parts of the building’s roof.

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Firefighters were seen removing panels to get better access to the fire, and confirmed the building still showed damage from previous fires.

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Fire service Group Manager Vince Macklam said: “Nobody was in the building when we got here, as it is derelict.

“The fire is currently under investigation, and this is not the first time crews have been called out here.

“It is a building that is smashed up inside – it has been unoccupied for quite a long time.”

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Engines from Cleckheaton, Batley, Odsal and Morley were called to the scene, with a combined aerial rescue pumps arriving from Bradford.

Nibshaw Lane is currently still closed off.

Police had put a traffic management system on neighbouring Spen Lane. Firefighters confirmed they expected to be tackling the blaze into the evening.

Nobody living in the surrounding area had to be evacuated.

There are currently not thought to be any injuries from the fire.

Jane Hayes-Ward, who lives in Nibshaw Lane said: “This has caught fire before, but it has never been this bad – it is definitely the worst I have seen it.”

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“I have made tea for the firefighters because they have been here working in the rain for ages – they deserve it.”

Although he could not yet confirm the cause of the fire, Mr Macklam confirmed there would be a police investigation into the incident.

Firefighter Danny Shuttleworth, from Batley Fire Station, said: “We have been here loads of times – it needs pulling down.

“My watch has been here about half a dozen times, and that’s only one watch.”

Fire crews were called to another blaze at the building back in April 2009.

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