Events at Lee Mills, Halifax

Destructive Fire at Lee Bridge, Halifax [4th October 1853]

One of the most terrific and destructive fires that has ever occurred in Yorkshire took place on Tuesday evening. The fire at Lee Mills, Halifax, the property of Messrs Robert Whitworth & Company, on the Halifax and Keighley road were of considerable magnitude.

The mill was six storeys high including the garrett, and the warehouses were five storeys high. The fire was discovered at about 7 o'clock on the fourth storey of the new mill.

After the alarm was given, an effort was immediately made to bring into use several portable fire engines which were on the premises, but as the hose belonging to them could not be found, the engines were quite useless. A gentleman riding on horseback hastened rapidly to the Town Hall for assistance.

Two engines, the Leeds and Yorkshire and the Halifax, Bradford and Keighley were soon dispatched to the spot and arrived just before 8 o'clock. The new mill (which is a small addition to the old one) was in a terrific blaze and a telegraph was sent for additional machines from Bradford, Wakefield and Huddersfield.

Men of all ranks and conditions were employed in every kind of office. The Mayor (Samuel Waterhouse Esq.) was busy amongst the throng and amongst the rest were Mr John Crossley, Mr John Abbott, Mr F. Crossley MP. Mr Alderman Appleyard, Mr John Bold, &c. Some were carrying water, some pumping and some conveying goods to safety.

The Chief Constable ordered a clear passage from the premises to the premises of Messrs John Dennison & Son, and along this lane a continuous stream of persons passed to and fro bearing property of all kinds – pieces, yarns, wool, &c. This work continued for hours with unabated vigour.

The fire was pursuing its destruction course and two engines were of no avail. At about 10 o'clock, three engines arrived from Bradford, They dashed to the lurid scene with great velocity, each drawn by four post horses.

The mills and the warehouses were by this time destroyed. The roofs and walls had collapsed and the warehouse was wrapped in a vast sheet of flame which lighted up the hills and valleys for many miles with terrible grandeur.

The town seemed deserted. Most inhabitants and many from the surrounding area were at the scene. It is computed that some 20,000 to 30,000 persons had assembled, the hills surrounding the scene forming a sort of amphitheatre for spectators.

It has been estimated that the loss cannot be less than £50,000 to £60,000. The buildings are not insured.

The offices in which insurance was effected on stock and machinery were Halifax, Bradford, Keighley, the Leeds & Yorks, the West of England, the Atlas and the Globe.

Nothing is known as to the origin of the fire. It is estimated that a great number of people (it is stated 1,400)  are thrown out of work and their disaster is rendered more severe by the prospect of diminished work everywhere and dear food

The fire broke out on the 5th storey of the mill, and was believed to have been caused by the spontaneous combustion of a quantity of waste