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  "path": "/news/staffordshire-news-grade-ii-big-mill-fire-leek",
  "publishedAt": "2026-03-28T01:00:06.000Z",
  "site": "https://www.gbnews.com",
  "tags": [
    "The GB News Editorial Charter"
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  "textContent": "\n\n\nA massive blaze has lit up an iconic Grade-II listed building.\n\nThe fire has engulfed the Big Mill, on Mill Street in Leek, Staffordshire.\n\n###\n\n\n\n\nStaffordshire Fire and Rescue Service are on the scene to battle the fire.\n\nA fire service spokesman said: \"We have six crews and an aerial ladder platform at the scene of a large fire at The Big Mill, Mill Street, Leek.\"\n\n###\n\n\n\n\nTRENDING\n\nStories\n\nVideos\n\nYour Say\n\nThe emergency services are also warning people to stay away.\n\nStaffordshire Police have said for those who have been forced to evacuate from their property should head to the Co-op on West Street, Leek, for support.\n\nLocals are warned not to drive near the blaze as \"this is making things more difficult\".\n\nThe fire service added to keep windows and doors closed if you are driving in the area.\n\n###\n\n\n\n\n###\n\n\n\n\nA Staffordshire Fire Service spokesman previously said: \"We have multiple crews in attendance at an incident at the Big Mill, Mill Street, where we are responding to a building fully alight.\"\n\nA council report last year revealed that the property was unoccupied, but planned to redevelop.\n\nThe building had received planning permission to be redeveloped into 34 flats.\n\nThe Big Mill, constructed in 1857 and designed by William Sugden served as the centre of the silk industry.\n\n###\n\n\n\n\nIt served as the base for Wardle and Davenport, which employed up to 2,500 people in the area.\n\nThe building was first listed by Historic England in 1972.\n\nIt is described by the organisation as a \"important example of large-scale building for the silk industry\".\n\n\"It is also a good example of the mill-style developed by William Sugden, the leading mill architect at work in Leek at this time,\" Historic England, the public body responsible for preserving historic buildings, added.\n\n###\n\n\n\n\nThe A523 Macclesfield Road, which connects to Mill Street, has been \"blocked in both directions due to a building fire from Church Street to Churnet Way\".****\n\nLocals have expressed sadness on social media in reaction to the dramatic scenes.\n\nOne local businessowner said: \"Very sad to see, can't believe it would even set alight, it must be so damp.\"\n\nAnd another Leek local said: \"That's going to come down tonight.\"\n\nA woman from Brown Edge, a village around five miles from Leek, shared photo of the fire illuminating the sky.\n\nGB News has contacted Staffordshire Police and Staffordshire Fire and Rescue for updates.\n\n**_More to follow..._**\n\n###\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n**Our Standards: The GB News Editorial Charter**",
  "title": "Historic Grade-II listed Big Mill 'fully alight' as locals told to stay away"
}