Forensics officers examined a block of flats in New Brighton this morning as a murder probe entered its second day .
Police were called to Rakersfield Road by paramedics responding to the stabbing of a man last night.
The 52-year-old was later pronounced dead, prompting detectives to arrest a man on suspicion of murder .
Neighbours today described the incident as "horrible" as they recalled seeing their cul-de-sac filled with police vehicles.
Merseyside Police said officers were made aware of the stabbing at 10.25pm on Wednesday, around two hours after one neighbour said he heard the sound of arguing coming from the flats.
He said: “I knew it was a bad set up when I saw the police.
"There were four or five police cars, a 4x4 and the helicopter was out.”
Another neighbour told the ECHO she initially feared there had been a crash when she saw the emergency service crews in the road.
She said police patrols arrived with their blue lights flashing but without sirens on. Several others said the first they knew of the stabbing was when they woke to the sight of police in the street.
A small block of flats and neighbouring semi-detached homes lay behind police tape this morning.
A blue tarpaulin sheet was draped from the first floor window of the flat block, covering the front door.
Forensics officers were seen going inside the property and around the back of it in the early hours of Thursday.
A forensics officer returned to the scene just before 10am.
Alleyways surrounding the buildings were also sealed off and guarded by officers, preventing dog walkers from using a shortcut to reach the nearby promenade.
A 39-year-old man from New Brighton was arrested on suspicion of murder last night.
He was taken to a police station for questioning.
A post mortem is scheduled to confirm the cause of the victim's death.
*Anyone who may have information, or who may have seen something, which could help detectives with the investigation is asked to contact Merseyside Police via Twitter (MerPolCC), or by calling 101, quoting reference 1132 of January 1.
You can also call Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111 or contact the organisation online here.
