Huge fire at Grade II listed historic council building in Leeds
Huge fire at Grade II listed historic council building in Leeds sees dozens of people evacuated from the city centre’s Millennium Square as crews battle raging inferno
- Ten fire engines are currently in attendance at the scene on Cookridge Street
- The Leonardo building used to belong to the council but is being renovated
- West Yorkshire Ambulance Service and Police are also responding to the blaze
A large fire has broken out at a historic Grade II listed building in Leeds city centre this evening forcing bars, pubs and restaurant to close and the evacuation of parts of the city centre.
The fire, believed to be in Leeds City Council’s old planning department building, is on Cookridge Street and 10 fire engines are currently battling the blaze.
It reportedly began shortly before 8pm, but has since engulfed huge sections of the property and can be seen from miles away.
The Leonardo building is currently being renovated and was being transformed into student accommodation.
Witnesses to the fire reported hearing ‘loud explosions’ coming from the building site as the flames spread.
West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue said that the fire was reported to them at 7:47pm and that they had firefighters from seven different stations in attendance alongside special teams.
In a statement, West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service said the incident is ongoing and that the top three floors of the building are alight.
The massive blaze is not yet under control and fire crews from seven different stations are in attendance
Police officers were seen evacuating the area due to the risk the fire posed to surrounding buildings
The blaze has ripped through the top three storeys of the building and smoke can be seen for miles
There is a safety cordon in place and surrounding buildings have been evacuated by emergency services.
West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service is working with West Yorkshire Police and Yorkshire Ambulance Service in its response to the blaze.
The Hazardous Area Response Team (HART) is also in attendance.
The fire can be seen for miles around and is centred on the top few floors of the high-rise building.
Leeds, Killingbeck, Moortown and Morley are among seven different fire stations which have sent teams to battle the inferno.
Although most recently used as council offices, the building is now derelict as it undergoes renovation. Construction began in 2021 and was scheduled to be completed by August 2023 in time for the 2023/2024 academic year.
It is not clear immediately whether the fire will impact the deliverability of these targets.
The Leonardo Building dates back to 1900, when it was opened as a printworks. It was extended in the late 1990s and was used by Leeds City Council’s housing department.
This story is being updated.
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