A fire broke out at Hill’s Furniture Store near the Corn Exchange in Leeds City centre on Friday evening.

The fire is believed to have started at around 4.30pm, shortly after the shop closed for the day.

Whilst no one was thought to be inside, the building was said to be “at risk” of collapsing.

West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service stated that around 35 firefighters and eight pumps were dispatched to the blaze at Hill’s Furniture Store on Kirkgate and were working to put out the fire.

West Yorkshire Police also had officers in attendance at the scene in order to help with road closures and curb the hundreds of onlookers that gathered at the scene.

Public transport has been affected with First Bus routes which run through city centre being diverted.

The “Leeds Travel Info” Twitter account posted that Kirkgate will be closed from High Court junction to New Market Street junction, because of the fire.

Kirkgate’s historic First White Cloth Hall, a Grade II listed building, is located next to Hills Furniture store. Leeds Civic Trust posted the following on Twitter: “Building next to the First White Cloth Hall on fire! Not good for Leeds most historic building!”

Leeds Corn Exchange tweeted: “Thinking of our neighbours and hoping everyone is OK.”

Hilary Benn MP expressed his gratitude towards the West Yorkshire Fire Service and West Yorkshire Police, tweeting: “All under control at the site of Leeds Kirkgate fire. Big thanks to @West_Yorks_FRS and @WestYorksPolice”

(Image: Yorkshire Evening Post)

Shamima Noor