Emergency crews called to 300ft collapsed chimney in Barkisland

Police, firefighters and council officers were called to the scene, at Steele Lane, Barkisland, at around 8.42am.

The stones from the chimney have blocked both sides of the road and West Yorkshire Police is advising people to avoid the area.

Nobody was injured. A recovery vehicle is currently at the scene to remove bricks and debris.

One resident, who did not want to be named, said: “I was feeding my neighbour’s cat and then I heard a huge bang and wondered what was going on.”

Richard Seaman, Calderdale Council’s planning lead, said: “The council is aware of the partial collapse of a mill chimney at Steele Lane in Barkisland.

“Fortunately nobody was injured. Council staff immediately visited the site, with other organisations, to help make it safe.

“The top of the chimney is still unstable and as a result the fallen debris remains in the road. Therefore, the road at either side of the chimney and an adjacent footpath have been closed to all traffic as a safety precaution, and will remain closed while investigations and remedial work continue.

“The council has contacted the owner of the chimney, who is making arrangements to put up scaffolding, remove the loose bricks and reduce the height of the remaining part of the chimney.

“The council will continue to monitor the site.”

Watch the video to see the scene and hear Mark Throp, a landscape gardener, talk about the incident.