Fire crews work through night to tackle blaze at charity warehouse

Fire crews worked through the night to dampen down the blaze that engulfed a warehouse.

Flames ripped through the warehouse at around 12.30pm yesterday prompting a major response from Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service.

Six fire engines rushed to the scene, on Warbreck Moor in Aintree, after a fire started in St Joseph's Hospice charity shop.

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Smoke could be seen billowing into the sky as the building was gutted by flames.

Merseyside Fire Service said the blaze took place inside the store's warehouse, where it is understood St Joseph's Hospice keep much of their stock.

St Joseph's Hospice Chief Executive, Mike Parr, told the ECHO there were no injuries during yesterday's blaze.

It's understood only one member of staff was inside the building at the time.

Mr Parr said: "At around 12.30pm this afternoon (Tuesday, May 25) a fire broke out in the warehouse of our furniture shop on Warbeck Moor.

"Thankfully everyone was evacuated safely and the fire service is currently at the scene. We will provide further updates as soon as we are able to."

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Fire crews worked for hours to bring the inferno under control and the emergency response was scaled down by late afternoon.

This morning, the true extent of the damage caused by the fire is clearly visible.

A fire crew stayed overnight and could still be seen spraying water onto areas of the building this morning.

The aftermath of yesterday's fire which took hold of St Joseph's Hospice charity shop in Aintree (Andrew Teebay/Liverpool Echo)

Behind the cordon of police tape, it appears the entire contents of the building have been reduced to ash.

The blackened remnants of shelving and tables are visible, as is the view right through and out the other side the building as any windows have been destroyed by the flames.

The shop's stop appears to have been completely destroyed by the flames (Andrew Teebay/Liverpool Echo)

A spokesperson for Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service said: "We maintained a presence overnight at the scene. The fire is largely extinguished now.

Fire crews were still on the road this morning dampening down any remaining flames and hot spots inside the building (Andrew Teebay/Liverpool Echo)

"We still have one engine in attendance and crews continue damping down and checking hot spots."

An investigation into the cause of the fire is expected to take place later when the dampening down of the building has been completed.