Location: Oxton, Birkenhead
Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service (MFRS) are in attendance at an incident on Columbia Road, Birkenhard, Oxton, on the afternoon of Sunday 18th May.
Crews were alerted at 14.55 and on scene at 14.59 with four fire engines and one aerial appliance currently in attendance.
On arrival, this was a confirmed one storey brick building approximately 20m x 10m involved in fire. One team of two firefighters in breathing apparatus (BA) were committed under rapid deployment with two main jets to prevent further escalation.
Due to the severity of the blaze, crews are fighting the fire externally with the two main jets and one hose reel jet.
The incident has been sectorised and crews are creating access points to fight the fire.
There is a significant amount of smoke issuing from the fire, please avoid the area.
Residents nearby should keep doors and windows closed. If you have an existing medical condition, keep medicines or treatment nearby and if any ill effects are experienced dial NHS 111 for advice.
UPDATE – 20.35
Crews made good progress fighting the fire this afternoon and by 18.08, the incident was scaled down, with the aerial appliance in use to damp down the scene.
Use of the aerial appliance was discontinued shortly after and firefighters used a hose reel jet to damp down.
A handover then took place with an onsite contractor, before leaving the scene at 19.35. A crew is due to revisit the premises later this evening to check for any hotspots.
UPDATE – 09.00 Monday 19th May
Crews returned to the premises at 21.20 on the evening of Sunday 18th May. Firefighters investigated a small amount of smoke coming from the rear of the property and utilised one hose reel jet.
After monitoring temperatures and completing a full 360 survey of the building, crews left scene at 22.01.