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A huge fire has broken out at a former sports and social club in Widnes this evening.
Images from the scene show the whole building well alight and thick black smoke billowing up to the sky. It is not clear at this stage how the fire started.
The now derelict sports and social club closed in 2020 with police in April warning against the dangers of entering the site. Our reporter is on her way to the scene in Widnes this evening and we will be bringing you the latest updates as soon as we have them.
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Catherine Murphy
That's all for tonight
Cheshire police has updated its website to say the fire is now under control.
In a statement, a spokesperson said: "The fire is now under control and the number of fire engines in attendance will shortly be reduced to two.
"Those crews will be at the scene throughout the night, hot spotting areas of concern. Due to the stability of the building firefighters will remain outside for safety.
"At the height of the fire nearby residents were evacuated as a precaution are now able to return to their homes. An investigation to establish the cause will take place in the morning."
Our morning team will continue to bring you the latest updates from this scene tomorrow. We have a reporter going to the scene in the morning to see how the aftermath will look.
Catherine Murphy
Flames went up "like a rocket in a matter of minutes"
Catherine Murphy
People rallied round to help 80-year-old who was told to leave her home
Catherine Murphy
Resident has called fire "a shame"
Catherine Murphy
Our reporter is at the scene
Catherine Murphy
Police car blocks road
Police were called to the scene to assist with traffic management and have closed roads while fire crews tackle the blaze
Catherine Murphy
Continued
Catherine Murphy
Images from our photographer at the scene
Catherine Murphy
Time fire services were called
Cheshire Fire has confirmed they were called to tonight's incident at around 9.30pm. Both police and fire crews are in attendance.
Catherine Murphy
Emergency services at Birchfield Road tonight
Catherine Murphy
'Homes evacuated'
Our reporter is at the scene in Widnes this evening and residents living close to the former sports club have told her they been asked to leave their homes
Catherine Murphy
Footage of tonight's blaze
Catherine Murphy
Police cordon
There is a police cordon on Birchfield Road this evening as fire crews are trying to stop a massive fire that has broken out at a former sports club
Catherine Murphy
Another view of tonight's fire
Catherine Murphy
Emergency services at the scene
There are currently four fire engines at the scene tonight as crews try to tackle the blaze.
A long ladder is being used to spray the flames from above
Catherine Murphy
Shock from people in the area
One onlooker said they were walking their dog only an hour earlier past the club, and there was no sign of the fire then
Catherine Murphy
Crowds gathering
A witness from the scene has told the ECHO crowds are gathered close to tonight's cordon to watch the fire
Catherine Murphy
The building on fire
The building which is on fire tonight was the former Birchfield Sports & Social club. The building is on Birchfield Road.
Before it closed in 2020 it was home to football, rudgby and cricket clubs and was a feature of life in Widnes for almost 100 years.
The building also had a bowls team and a function room.
Catherine Murphy
Road leading up to the site is closed
Police have closed Willmere Lane while emergency services deal with the fire
Catherine Murphy
Tonight's scene
Good evening, we will be bringing you the latest updates from Widnes after a massive fire has broken out at the former Birchfield Sports & Social Club.
Our reporter and photographer are on their way to scene and we have requested a statement from Cheshire Police too.