A couple claim they were sent back to their fire-hit home after firefighters told them it was safe, only for a blaze to ignite again.
Merseyside Police and fire crews were called to Great Mersey Street in Kirkdale just before 11.55pm on Saturday, May 7, to reports of a fire. It impacted a row of three terrace houses.
Martyn Roberts said his brother and sister-in-law Mr and Mrs Roberts, who did not want to give their first names, live in one of the properties affected by the fire. He said they woke up to "very unusual noises from next door".
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When they went outside to check they realised their neighbour's roof was on fire and they called emergency services. Speaking to the ECHO, Martyn said: "They called the fire department at 11.35pm, within five to 10 minutes they arrived to put out the blaze of the neighbour's roof.
"It took them around 10 minutes to put out the blaze and another 45 to 60 minutes to check if all the properties were safe to re-enter. During this time the fire crew had removed a lot of insulation from the loft and also created a huge hole between the loft space of my brother's house and the neighbour's house."
The couple claim they were told by fire crews it was safe to go back into their home at around 12.30pm following checks. Martyn added: "Once the firemen told them it was safe, they went back inside and started to clean up the mess that had been made from ripping open the plaster board in the loft to be able to see through to the other property and taking out the burnt insulation."
Martyn said after all "the panic and exhaustion" his brother and sister-in-law had suffered they tried to go back to sleep at around 1.30am. However, the couple claim their night did not end there.
Mr Roberts said he was unable to sleep due to the "adrenaline of the events" and stayed awake. At around 4am, Mr Roberts claims he heard "crackling through the walls" and rushed upstairs to see the blaze had reignited.
Martyn told the ECHO: "The loft latch was glowing red. They both panicked trying to save some valuables and ringing the fire department at the same time, the time now was 4.15am, 10 minutes later the property was ablaze. Panic set in and they had to abandon everything and run outside.
"At about 4.25am the fire engine arrived and started dousing the flames but by this time the fire was about three times worse then the first one."
Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service previously said in a statement crews were alerted to a fire at 4.18am and were on scene at 4.23am on Great Mersey Street. They added when fire arrived they found a property "well alight".
When the ECHO went to the scene just after 8am on Sunday firefighters and Merseyside Police were still in attendance. Two cordons were in place, one from St Alphonsus Street and another at the top of Great Mersey Street to where it meets Stanley Road.
Forensics officers were also at the scene and fire investigators were using a drone to assess the damage. The roofs of two of the terraces appeared to be badly damaged and firefighters were working to make the scene safe.
Martyn said some sentimental things were recoverable such as a few clothes, some jewellery and a few important documents. However he said his brother and sister-in-law have "lost everything" in the blaze.
He added: "While the fire crew were helpful, they made a huge mistake in letting my brother and sister-in-law back in the property when it was not safe." The couple are currently staying in a hotel following the blaze.
Initial investigations suggest the cause of the fire was by a "signal flare" and Merseyside Police confirmed they are treating the blaze as suspected arson. A joint investigation between Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service and Merseyside Police is ongoing and anyone with any information is asked to contact police.
Detective Inspector Neil Dillon said: “Although, thankfully, nobody was hurt during the incident, deliberately setting fire to a property is extremely reckless and we are determined to find the person responsible and bring them to justice. CCTV, witness and forensic enquiries are being carried out into the incident. If you were in Kirkdale on Saturday night and saw anything or anyone suspicious then please come forward and let us know.
“Similarly if you were driving on Stanley Road or Vauxhall Road and have dashcam footage, please review it and let us know if you see anything. Whether you contact us directly or anonymously through the independent charity Crimestoppers, rest assured, your information will be acted upon.”
A spokesperson for Merseyside Fire and Rescue said initial investigations suggest the fire was caused by a signal flare, but were not in a position to comment further at this point in the investigation. They said: "A joint investigation is currently ongoing between MFRS and Merseyside Police and Police have issued a statement appealing for information.
"Whilst initial investigations suggest that the fire was caused by a signal flare we are not in a position to comment further at this time given the status of the investigation."
A GoFundMe page has been set up for Mr and Mrs Roberts, to donate please click here.
