There was a large emergency services response to a house fire in Southport after fears a man could be trapped inside.
Police, fire, and ambulance crews were sent to the scene in Newton Street shortly after 5pm tonight (Thursday).
Witnesses reported a large cordon being set up as smoke billowed out of the front and back of the semi-detached property in the residential street.
One said: "I could see firefighters trying to get into the property by smashing down the front door.
"They put the fire out quickly and then it was just smoking."
Fortunately all persons were accounted for once firefighters entered the property, which is surrounded by large hedges at the front.
Neighbours said the occupier, believed to be a man in his 50s, was not at home when the fire broke out.
One said: "There was a lot of smoke. It was coming out of the front and the back door, and out of the windows."
A spokeswoman for Merseyside Fire & Rescue Service said: "Three appliances were sent but there are no reports of any injuries."
