a day ago
Former fireman helped to save beloved museum as mill fire broke out
AN ex-fireman used a vintage fire engine to tackle a blaze that spread from Keighley's Dalton Mills to a beloved museum.
Firefighters battled from day to night amid efforts to contain the fire which broke out at the derelict mill.
But embers from the mill fire had blown onto the roof and set nearby Keighley Bus Museum alight.
Volunteers were left fearful for the museum, just off Dalton Lane, which holds a huge collection of buses dating back to 1924, as well as cars, vans, and boats.
Fire at Dalton Mills (Image: Melody Pugh, Milo74, Paul Whitehead and Newsquest) Museum volunteer Mick Gissing, 56, stood on a forklift truck and used pumps from the engine owned by Haworth Fire Cadets, which is stored at the museum.
Mick's quick actions and the diversion of some of the 999 crews from the mill to the museum meant there was little damage to the vehicles inside.
The team at the museum had to wait behind a cordon before being allowed into the building on Sunday morning to survey the damage.
The roof then had to be dampened down as it started to smoulder again.
While damage to the collection was kept to a minimum, the museum now needs a new roof due to extensive damage.
Peter Cribbin, Simon Waye and Andrew Haley, pictured (Image: Submitted) Former firefighter Mick, who is from Long Lee, said: 'I'd like to thank all the volunteers at the museum. They all worked extremely hard to keep the flames at bay by getting the hose reel out and helping me get water to the roof.
"My former colleagues ultimately saved the bus museum through their quick response and actions.'
People can donate to the fundraising page by visiting
Offers of practical help can also be made by emailing board@
Andrew Haley, director of security and building at Keighley Bus Museum Trust, said: 'We are so grateful to Mick and the fire service for saving our building and collection. It has been a stressful and emotional day or so but the whole team has rallied around, and we've had the support of our local councillors.
Mick with the Haworth Cadets' fire engine (Image: Submitted) 'We need to protect our vehicles, which are part of our local and social history.
'If anyone is able to help in our hour of need by giving a small amount, it'll all add up and hopefully help us to refurbish the roof to make sure our wonderful collection is protected from the elements.
'Smouldering plastic and bits of roof fell inside the building and everything is looking a bit charred and sooty, so we need a good clean-up too.
'All in all, we were very lucky that only a boat and a bus seat were slightly damaged by falling embers and there was no further damage. It's a miracle."
A file photo shows some of the buses kept within the museum
Have events at Keighley Bus Museum been cancelled?
Andrew added: 'We have a lovely collection of vehicles here, owned by all sorts of people, and we get thousands of people through the doors for our free family open days.
'We've had to cancel the next one in August but we're hoping we can clear up in time to hold the one after that in November. Any support people can give us would be greatly appreciated.'
