Huge fire in Liverpool sparks major incident with fears building could collapse
27.01.2024 - 17:57
/ manchestereveningnews.co.uk
Emergency services have declared a major incident in Liverpool after a huge fire in the city centre risks causing a tall building to collapse. Plumes of thick black smoke have been seen pouring across the city skyline this afternoon.
Firefighters responded to a large fire on Fox Street at 2.18pm today (January 27), where they found a 100-metre tall building ablaze. As they tackled the blaze with 12 fire engines, fears began to grow that the four-storey building could collapse, causing people in nearby buildings to be evacuated by police.
By 4pm, the fire had been declared a major incident by Merseyside Fire & Rescue Service. One reader told the Liverpool Echo that the fire started in an abandoned development behind St Anne Street in the centre of the city. There are no reports of casualties, the fire service said.
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A cordon is in place around the building and the wider area, and roads have been closed including Great Homer Street, Fox Street, Rose Place, Great Richmond Street, Richmond Brow, Netherfield Road South, Everton Brow and Prince Edwin Street.
The fire service is urging people to avoid the area and nearby residents and businesses to close windows and doors.
A statement on Merseyside Fire & Rescue Service’s website says: “Fire crews have been called to a large fire on Fox Street, Liverpool City Centre, L3.
“12 fire engines and two aerial appliances are in attendance. Crews were alerted at 2.18pm and on scene at 2.23pm. Crews arrived to find a four storey building 100 metres x 50 metres well alight.
“The incident has been divided into sectors, with firefighters wearing breathing apparatus fighting the fire with main branch hoses. The building is