Location: Kingsway, Southport
Merseyside Fire & Rescue Service was in attendance at a flat fire on Kingsway, Southport earlier today, Friday, 29 December.
Crews were alerted at 1.09pm and on scene at 1.13pm. At the height of the incident, five MFRS fire engines and an aerial appliance were in attendance. Two fire engines from Lancashire Fire and Rescue Service also attended.
On arrival, crews gained access using door breaker equipment and two firefighters under rapid deployment were committed to fight the fire internally. This was then increased to four personnel in breathing apparatus (BA).
Four casualties were rescued from the property by crews utilising the 9 metre ladder.
The fire was extinguished and BA operations had ceased by 1.49pm. All persons from the affected flat were accounted for and natural ventilation took place.
Crews conducted a search of all adjacent flats and the flat directly above and then peeled back plaster work within the affected flat to check for further fire spread.
Shortly after 2.30pm, a multi-agency meeting took place between MFRS, North West Ambulance Service (NWAS) and Merseyside Police. By 3.15pm, all occupants were allowed back into the building.
The check for further fire spread was completed, with no further fire spread found. An investigation into the fire was carried out and determined it was an accidental ignition caused by unsafe use of smokers materials.
MFRS left the scene at 4.34pm.