Temple Newsam fire: Live as fire crews tackle huge farm building blaze at historic Leeds estate
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The fire service was called to the barn fire shortly before 10am this morning (Thursday) and Temple Newsam has requested all members of the public not to visit.
A spokesperson for West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service said: “Eight fire appliances and one aerial ladder platform are currently in attendance.
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Hide Ad“The barn which is currently under construction does not house animals.
“Please avoid the area where possible to allow emergency services to deal with the incident.”
For the latest updates on this ongoing story follow our live blog below.
Live as fire crews tackle huge blaze at Temple Newsam
Key Events
Farm to remain closed tomorrow
The council has confirmed that Temple Newsam farm will remain closed tomorrow as staff assess the extent of the fire damage. The house and the cafe will open as normal.
Animal Care and Land Management, which runs practical animal care courses at the farm, will keep its Temple Newsam campus closed tomorrow.
15 pictures from the scene
Pctures show damage to the roof of the new playbarn, which was still alight this afternoon. The estate is closed to the public, who are being urged to avoid the area.
Leeds City Council issues statement
Leeds City Council has confirmed the fire has broken out at the site of the new playbarn that is currently under construction. Council staff will assess the damage as soon as it’s safe to do so - the playbarn had been due to open within the new few weeks.
A spokesperson said: “No other buildings are believed to be affected and Temple Newsam House itself – which is some distance from the playbarn site – is not in any danger.
“The cause of the fire has not yet been confirmed. Council staff are at the scene and – as soon as it is safe to do so – will be working to assess the extent of the damage to the playbarn.
“Temple Newsam’s Home Farm attraction is closed today as a result of the fire, but its animals are safe and well and are being checked on regularly.”
Further statement from WYFRS confirms no animals have been injured
YEP readers have expressed concern over the welfare of the animals housed at the Temple Newsam Farm. The council and WYFRS have confirmed that no animals were housed in the barn at the time the fire broke out, and no livestock have been harmed in any way.
Incident Commander Group Manager Matt Goodall said: “Fire crews from across our area are currently dealing with a barn fire on the Temple Newsam estate in Leeds. We received the call just before 9am this morning.
“A total of eight fire appliances and one aerial ladder platform are currently in attendance. We have more than 30 firefighters dealing with this on-going incident, as we work to bring the fire under control, and to ensure it is contained and does not spread.
“We understand the barn was being renovated, and as a result we can confirm there are no animals on this part of the site at this time, with no livestock harmed in anyway.
“We are working with our emergency services partners and the local authority. It is too early to speculate on the cause of the fire, but this will be investigated in due course. Please avoid the area where possible to allow emergency services to deal with the incident. “
Pictures show the fire still ablaze at Temple Newsam
Our reporter Alex Grant is at the Temple Newsam estate, where smoke can still be seen rising from a farm building. He says there is a large emergency service presence, with crews tackling the fire and paramedics on standby.
The farm building was under construction and nearing completion when the fire broke out today.
First pictures from the scene
West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service has shared these pictures as crews tackle the blaze in a farm building.
Our reporter Alex Grant is heading down to the estate to bring live updates from the scene of the fire.
Full statement from West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue service
A fire spokesperson said: “Fire crews from across the region are currently dealing with a barn fire at Temple Newsam Park in Leeds.
“We received the call just before 9am this morning. Eight fire appliances and one aerial ladder platform are currently in attendance.
“The barn which is currently under construction does not house animals. Please avoid the area where possible to allow emergency services to deal with the incident.”
WYFRS will be posting incident updates on its website.