• Fri. Oct 18th, 2024

Spotted UK

Local News Reports

Live updates as huge fire breaks out in Liverpool

BySpotted UK

Jan 27, 2024

Video LoadingClick to playTap to playThe video will auto-play soon8CancelPlay now

A huge blaze has broken out in Liverpool sending plumes of smoke across the city centre.

We have a photographer and reporter at the scene on Fox Street in Liverpool. One reader said it started in an abandoned development behind St Anne Street.

Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service has been contacted for comment.

We'll be bringing you the very latest updates, pictures and video on this breaking news story.

For the latest news and breaking news visit liverpoolecho.co.uk/news

Get all the big headlines, pictures, analysis, opinion and video on the stories that matter to you by signing up to our daily and breaking newsletter. Sign up to our breaking news newsletter here.

Follow us on Twitter @LivECHONews – the official Liverpool ECHO Twitter account – real news in real time.

We're also on Facebook/theliverpoolecho – your must-see news, features, videos and pictures throughout the day from the Liverpool ECHO.

Olivia Williams

Smoke seen across the city

Plumes of smoke could be seen across the city and also across the water.

This photo shows the black smoke behind the Liver Building.

Black smoke behind the Liver Building

Olivia Williams

Extent of emergency services

This was the extent of the emergency services. This was just on one road.

Emergency services at the scene
Emergency services at the scene

Olivia Williams

Fire 'no longer a major incident'

Olivia Williams

People allowed to return home

Sophie McCoid

Pictures of the fire taken from above

Olivia Williams

View of fire at its peak

These photos show the fire when it was at its peak.

View of the fire taken by @misterjgarcia of the blaze on Fox Street
View of the fire taken by @misterjgarcia of the blaze on Fox Street
View of the fire taken by @misterjgarcia of the blaze on Fox Street

Olivia Williams

People told to close doors and windows

Olivia Williams

Road reopens

Great Homer Street has now reopened. However there are still some roads that remain closed and people are being told to avoid the area.

Hannah Rees

"Building showing signs of collapse"

Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service said the "building was showing signs of collapse."

Hannah Rees

Avoid the area

Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service has asked people to avoid the area.

Hannah Rees

One student said he was woken up by sirens

Echo reporter Olivia Williams spoke to a student who lives close to the scene.

Hannah Rees

Images from the scene

ECHO photographer Colin Lane is at the scene of the fire. Images show fire crews tackling the blaze at the building.

Large scale fire on Fox Street, Liverpool. Photo by Colin Lane
Large scale fire on Fox Street, Liverpool. Photo by Colin Lane
Large scale fire on Fox Street, Liverpool. Photo by Colin Lane

Sophie McCoid

Mersey Fire update

Mersey Fire said: "Cordons and road closures are in place, motorists and pedestrians should avoid the area. The fire has been significantly reduced but the incident is ongoing."

Sophie McCoid

Road closures in place

There are several road closures in place because of the fire.

Liverpool City Council said: "FOX STREET UPDATE: Road closures are in place on Great Homer Street, Fox Street, Rose Place, Great Richmond Street, Richmond Brow, Netherfield Road South, Everton Brow and Prince Edwin Street.

"There are no reports of casualties."

Hannah Rees

Police are on Beresford Street

Hannah Rees

Image taken from above Liverpool

This image was sent to the Echo from Sean Shannon.

Aerial images show the building fire on Fox Street

Sophie McCoid

People living next door had to be evacuated

Scarlett O'Neill who lives in 30 Fox Street had to be evacuated from her apartment building. She said her flatmate called her into the kitchen as they watched the building become engulfed in flames.

Scarlett said: "We rang the fires service and saw the flames getting bigger. It was worrying so we decided to grab some things and leave as the smoke intensified and you could feel the heat coming from the fire through the flat windows.

"It got a lot worse very fast and there was lots of debris flying around.

"We've all had to find a place to stay tonight as the aren't letting us back in the building."

Hannah Rees

Join the Breaking News and Top Stories WhatsApp

We’ll be sharing the latest updates on this incident in our Breaking News and Top Stories WhatsApp community.

Click this link to join the community.

Read our Privacy Policy here.

Hannah Rees

Emergency services are at the scene

ECHO reporter Olivia Williams is at the scene.

Hannah Rees

Further bus diversions in place

Arriva North West are diverting bus services.

Hannah Rees

Statement from Merseyside Fire and Rescue

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 showing signs of collapse and fire crews are evacuating buildings.

"The incident is ongoing. Please avoid the area. Residents and businesses nearby should close windows and doors.

"If you have an existing health condition, keep medicines nearby and if any ill effects occur dial NHS 111 for advice."

Hannah Rees

Fire crews continue to tackle the blaze

Hannah Rees

We're live on our Facebook page

If the Facebook live has not appeared, click here.

Hannah Rees

Image of the fire at a building on Fox Street

Image of the fire in Liverpool

Hannah Rees

Video shows fire crews at the scene

Video shared with the Liverpool Echo on X (formerly Twitter) shows fire crews tackling the fire.

Hannah Rees

Image of the scene

ECHO reporter Dan Haygarth is at the scene.

Hannah Rees

Dramatic images show the smoke above Liverpool

Smoke above Liverpool skyline
Smoke can be seen from across the River Mersey

Hannah Rees

Bus diversions are in place

Bus services are being diverted.

Hannah Rees

Fire crews are in attendance

Fire crews have asked people to move back from the area.

Hannah Rees

ECHO reporter at the scene

ECHO reporter Dan Haygarth is at the scene of the fire on Fox Street. Emergency services are in attendence.