A vicious blaze has broken out overnight at a derelict church building.
Firefighters rushed to the scene at a disused church building on Back Lane in Skelmersdale. Lancashire Fire and Rescue Service confirmed that four fire engines were attending the scene at around 2.45am today.
The fire was creating a large plume of smoke with people urged to keep windows and doors closed if they can see or smell the smoke. Crews from Skelmersdale and Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service attended and firefighters were forced to wear breathing apparatus along with three main jets, four hose reels, two triple extension ladders and one nin-metre ladder in their efforts to put the fire out.
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As of just after 9am, LFRS said that the incident has now been reduced, but two fire engines still remain at the scene with a multi-agency meeting underway. A spokesperson for the fire service wrote on its website in the early hours: "Four fire engines from Skelmersdale and Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service, and the Stinger from Skelmersdale attended an incident on Back Lane in Skelmersdale.
"The fire involved a derelict property and firefighters wearing breathing apparatus used three main jets, four hose reels, two triple extension ladders and one nine-metre ladder to extinguish the fire. Crews remain in attendance at this incident."
In an update published at 9.06am, the website said: "This incident has now been reduced to two fire engines. A multi-agency meeting is underway this morning."
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