FRESH fears have been voiced over the future of a historic Keighley mill.

It comes after firefighters were called to Grade II*-listed Dalton Mills twice within 12 hours this week.

The first incident was on Sunday evening, when six fire engines and an aerial appliance attended.

Crews wearing breathing apparatus used two hose reels and a large water jet to bring the blaze under control.

Firefighters spent more than three hours at the scene.

The fire is being treated as arson.

Then shortly after 7am the next day, crews were back at the Dalton Lane site tackling a blaze on the third and fourth floors of the building.

Around 40 per cent of the structure was involved in the fire, and crews used hose reels and jets to tackle the flames.

The cause of that fire is still under investigation.

The incidents come just over two years since an inferno engulfed a large part of the mill. Two 17-year-olds have been charged in relation to that and are next due to appear at court in August.

Dalton Mills, built in 1869, is home to several businesses and has been used as a filming location for many TV programmes – including Peaky Blinders and Downton Abbey – and movies.

It was once the largest textile mill in the region.

Keighley town mayor, Councillor Gulfraz Hussain, says: "I am extremely disappointed to see yet more damaging fires at Dalton Mills.

"We need all relevant parties, owners, police and authorities to find a way to secure the site and save what remains of the historic mill complex."

Keighley East district councillor, Caroline Firth, says: "The two fires at Dalton Mills this week are so sad and frustrating.

"The building is owned by the Government, and recently there was a multi-agency meeting at the site – including the police and Historic England – to look at how to better secure it.

"We desperately want the building to be saved and have been working with various parties to try to achieve this, but these incidents are yet further blows to finding a lasting positive future for Dalton Mills."

She praised the emergency services for their work in responding to the incidents.

West Yorkshire Police ask anyone who witnessed anything suspicious around the time of the first fire, which broke out shortly after 7pm, to contact officers via 101 or online at westyorkshire.police.uk/livechat, quoting crime reference 13240310081.