Fire crews attend large building fire in Birkenhead

Fire crews attended a large building fire in Birkenhead on Wednesday night.

Firefighters were called to the scene in Park Street at 10.41pm, and arrived six minutes later.

A spokesperson for Mersey Fire & Rescue said: "Four fire engines are currently in attendance. The combined platform ladder has also been requested.

"The incident is ongoing."

Park Street, Birkenhead (Street view)

At this stage it is not known what type of building is involved in the fire, nor how it started.

Nearby residents were advised to keep windows and doors closed.

Shortly before midnight, the number of fire engines had been increased to six. All persons had been accounted for.

Firefighters gained access to the building via shutters. A team of four firefighters wearing breathing apparatus were using a main jet to tackle the fire. A 9m ladder has been erected to the first floor window to allow crews to monitor the conditions.

At midnight, it was reported that the fire had been extinguished and an investigation into the cause of the fire would be carried out in due course.

"On arrival crews found the first floor of a building, approximately 30m x 50m, well alight. "Firefighters are currently using two main branches to fight the fire externally while other firefighters attempt to gain access to the property.