Location: Netherley, Liverpool.
Fire crews have been called to a serious flat fire in Hastie Close, Netherley.
Crews were alerted at 20.56 and were on scene at 21.01 after a report of a wheelie bin fire. 2 fire engines were initially despatched.
Crews arrived to find the front entrance and fascia of a two storey flat well alight. They began to fight the fire with a hose reel and main jet.
At 21.04 crews requested a further engine for breathing apparatus (BA) and began to search the property with 6 firefighters in 3 teams of 2 wearing BA.
At 21.23 a request for a fourth engine was made to ensure the supply of BA was sufficient.
3 people have been led to safety from the building by firefighters who continue to fight the fire and search the heavily smoke logged building for people. Persons rescued have been given oxygen by crews and are being treated by paramedics for smoke inhalation.
The incident is ongoing.
UPDATE 22.15
Firefighters have extinguished the fire externally and all persons are accounted for. An investigation will take place into the cause of the fire. Firefighters remain at the scene.