Update as at 12pm
Statement from Calderdale Council
Cllr Barry Collins, Calderdale Council’s Cabinet Member for Regeneration and Economic Development, said:
“Members of our building control and emergency planning teams are on site and working with partner organisations to investigate and support the building owner to ensure that the building is safe.
“Southgate is currently closed to vehicles but there is pedestrian access to the businesses unaffected by the fire.
“Investigations and work to make the building safe will be ongoing throughout the day and the road will remain closed to vehicles until further notice.
“I’d like to thank our teams and the emergency services for their prompt response and continued hard work throughout the morning.”
Statement from West Yorkshire Fire & Rescue Service
West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service (WYFRS) has dealt with a large scale incident in central Halifax overnight.
A call was received into our Control Room at 02.12 hrs (August 9) from a security company giving notification of a fire alarm sounding.
On arrival crews saw smoke in the area which was then tracked down to the building which contains the Game retail unit in Southgate, Halifax.
Crews quickly called for more fire engines when they realised it was an established fire which had the potential to quickly spread.
The fire involved the first and second floors and the roof of the four storey mid-terraced commercial building.
No-one was inside the building and there was no threat to the public because the building was surrounded by other commercial units.
Deputy Chief Fire Officer Dave Walton said:
“Crews worked quickly and skilfully to contain the fire and stop any further serious escalation.
“In total around 80 firefighters were on the scene from various stations across the brigade.
“The fire was out by around 4.30am and the incident was scaled back, however, two fire engines and an aerial appliance remain at the scene this morning and the road remains closed.”
A Fire Investigator will be attending the site today to look into the cause of the blaze.
The Fire Service has worked alongside Calderdale Council’s Emergency Planning team to ensure public safety in the area.