These dramatic pictures show the moment brave firefighters risked their lives to save a 315-year-old Liverpool mansion.
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
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.
However, the building fell into disrepair and was due to be demolished in 1980 after standing empty for a decade.
It was saved when local resident John Hibbert bought it and spent £100,000 on renovation work before later selling it on.
Firefighters, some wearing breathing apparatus, used a ladder to tackle the fire from above alongside compressed air foam and a high pressure hose reel.
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.
Group Manager Gary Oakford was at the scene.
He said: "Crews have worked hard to prevent this fire from spreading from the involved annex to the main listed building, which is a well known part of the local community and heritage.
"The fire has produced a large amount of smoke which has resulted in a large volume of calls to Fire Control, who must also be commended for their response to this incident."
Cllr Sharon Connor said: "We'd like to thank all of the emergency services, we've had a brilliant response from the fire service and also Merseyside Polce."
Stephen Guy, chairman of the West Derby Society, believes more should be done to protect Liverpool's historic buildings.
He said: "This is part of a wider malaise in Liverpool.
"Our historic buildings are under threat there is a whole number of them which Walton Hall is a prime example of a wonderful building which for some reason is left empty.
"Really people should be aware that these buildings are extremely vulnerable and they should look after them.
"Whoever owns Woolton Hall has a statutory duty of care to maintain the building for future generations."
