A huge fire at a building next to a historic 315-year-old Liverpool mansion may have been started deliberately.
Witnesses told of a loud 'explosion' and a huge black plume of smoke was reported near to Woolton Hall on Speke Road.
Firefighters received a call at 5.51pm and the first of five fire engines was at the scene within just five minutes.
Now Merseyside Police have said the fire is currently being treated as "suspected malicious ignition".
The blaze started at a derelict building next to Grade I Listed Woolton Hall.
One witness told the ECHO: “I heard a really big explosion then saw the smoke billowing out."
It sparked a frenzied rush to extinguish the flames and protect one of Liverpool's oldest historic mansions.
Woolton Hall was first built in 1704 for the Molyneux family, tucked quietly away from view on Speke Road in Woolton.
Over its lifetime, it has been a hotel, a school and a convent and it was owned by a succession of wealthy families up until the 1950s, when it became a private all-girls school.
It sparked a frenzied rush to extinguish the flames and protect one of Liverpool's oldest historic mansions.
Woolton Hall was first built in 1704 for the Molyneux family, tucked quietly away from view on Speke Road in Woolton.
Over its lifetime, it has been a hotel, a school and a convent and it was owned by a succession of wealthy families up until the 1950s, when it became a private all-girls school.
It's too early to determine what caused the fire but Merseyside Fire and Rescue said they will carry out an investigation in due course.
Police officers remain at the scene this morning alongside one fire engine.
Fire crews are currently carrying out hot spotting and damping down of the fire, which took hours to bring under control last night.
Firefighters were called to the grounds of the historic building at 5.51pm on Thursday, after a fire broke out within the annex.
By 1am the incident had been scaled down with only two fire engines battling the blaze.
Firefighters were later able to gain access to the main building and have confirmed that the fire did not spread to the main part of the hall.
Det Insp Phil Mahon of Merseyside Police said: “I would appeal to anyone who was in the vicinity of Speke Road who saw anything or anyone acting suspiciously to contact us.
“I would also ask if anyone was driving past Woolton Hall who may have captured something on their dash cam to get in touch as they may have information which is vital to our investigation.”
Anyone with information is asked to DM @MerPolCC, call 101 or contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
