Firefighters Battle Blaze at Former Restaurant Site Near Brotherton, Knottingley 2026

Key Points

• A significant fire broke out late on Monday, September 21, at the site of a derelict former restaurant and pub located on Old Great North Road in Brotherton, near Knottingley and Leeds.
• Emergency services responded at approximately 10:15pm to 10:17pm following reports of a large building fire measuring roughly 25 metres by 20 metres.
• Multiple fire crews from both North Yorkshire and West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Services—including appliances from Selby, Tadcaster, and York—were deployed to tackle the inferno overnight.
• Police and highways officials completely shut down both the A162 and Old Great North Road in both directions between Saddler’s Lane and Sutton Lane to allow emergency crews to work.
• Local residents were strongly advised by officials to keep their doors and windows closed and to avoid the immediate vicinity while smoke billowed across the area.

Leeds (The Leeds Times) September 22, 2026 — As reported by Abby Backhouse of York Press, emergency fire crews from across North and West Yorkshire rushed to the scene of a major structural fire on Old Great North Road in Brotherton, near Knottingley, at approximately 10:17pm on Monday, September 21. The blaze broke out at the site of a derelict commercial property—historically known as the Brotherton Fox pub and more recently as the Thaal Indian restaurant.

Emergency response teams worked through the night to bring the flames under control, prompting road closures on both the A162 and the Old Great North Road. Nearby residents were urged to remain indoors with windows and doors securely shut due to dense smoke drifting from the footprint of the 25m by 20m structure.

What Emergency Services Responded to the Brotherton Fire Incident?

As detailed by reporting from North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service updates and covered by local media, multiple fire engines were dispatched immediately following the first emergency calls around 10:15pm.

Units attending the incident included fire and rescue crews from Selby, Tadcaster, and York, supported by neighbouring resources from West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service. Upon arrival, firefighters encountered a dynamic incident involving a disused single-to-two-storey building that was well alight, with flames spreading across a footprint measuring approximately 25 metres by 20 metres.

Firefighters utilised hose reel jets, main jets, and specialised breathing apparatus to combat the flames overnight. Aerial ladder appliances and high-volume pumping units were brought into operational consideration to suppress the head of the fire and prevent ignition of surrounding vegetation and neighboring property borders along Old Great North Road.

Which Roads Were Closed and What Advice Was Issued to Residents?

As noted by York Press reporter Abby Backhouse, emergency services issued immediate safety guidance as the incident developed overnight. North Yorkshire Police implemented total road closures along the A162 Old Great North Road in both directions, spanning from Saddler’s Lane to Sutton Lane.

A spokesperson for North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service stated during the early hours of Tuesday, September 22:

“Good progress is being made to extinguish the fire. Further advice from the incident ground is for local residents and road users to avoid the A162 and Great North Road which are closed whilst this incident is ongoing”.

Residents living downwind in Brotherton, Knottingley, and Selby areas were urged to keep all doors and windows closed to mitigate inhalation risks from heavy smoke plumes generated by burning building materials.

How Did the Fire Progression Develop Overnight into Tuesday Morning?

Operations continued past dawn as fire crews systematically extinguished hotspots within the structural remains. By 3:54am on Tuesday, September 22, command officials confirmed that significant progress had been made in damping down the site, though crews remained present to ensure structural safety and prevent reignition.

Background of the Development

The site situated on Old Great North Road in Brotherton has a long commercial history serving the local community and motorists traveling between Leeds, Selby, and Pontefract. Historically operating as a traditional public house known as the Brotherton Fox, the venue was later converted into an Indian restaurant operating as the Thaal.

In recent years, the commercial property became vacant and derelict. Like many disused structures situated along former major trunk routes across West and North Yorkshire, unoccupied commercial buildings frequently present operational challenges for local authorities, emergency services, and community members regarding security, structural decay, and fire risk.

Predictions: How Will This Development Affect the Local Area and Road Users?

The aftermath of this major building fire is expected to impact local residents, commuters, and emergency planners in several distinct ways:

1. Commuter and Traffic Disruptions: The prolonged closure of the A162 Old Great North Road between Saddler’s Lane and Sutton Lane will force short-term traffic diversions onto secondary routes through Knottingley, Byram, and Selby. Local drivers and morning commuters heading toward Leeds or York should anticipate localized delays until safety inspectors complete structural evaluations of the road-facing building remains.
2. Environmental and Public Health Monitoring: Air quality in the immediate vicinity of Brotherton may remain slightly degraded until burning embers and smouldering debris are completely doused. Local public health bodies typically advise keeping windows closed until smoke haze dissipates entirely.
3. Local Authority Scrutiny on Derelict Sites: The destruction of this former landmark will likely accelerate demands from parish council representatives and local residents for local authorities to enforce stricter safety and security measures on disused commercial properties across North Yorkshire to prevent future emergency incidents.