A massive fire has ripped through a home in Liverpool with a person removed "conscious and breathing" as thick black smoke clouds the sky.
Emergency services rushed to the scene after locals reported hearing a loud noise, sounding like an explosion, at around 1.30pm today.
Fire engines and an ambulance were seen at the house on Arundel Avenue, Sefton Park, were billowing smoke could be seen from miles around.
As firefighters attempted to put out the blaze the roof arch collapsed with a sound that a neighbour described as a "lorry crashing", reported the Liverpool Echo.
Another resident said that they were cooking with music on and hadn't heard anything until neighbours came rushing to tell him to leave his house.
Shortly beforehand members of the fire crew on a crane could be heard shouting "out, out" to their colleagues below.
One resident was safely removed from the building and is conscious and breathing, Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service said.
The fire also spread to a neighbouring property which fire crews are also tackling.
They could be seen on cranes hosing down directly at the roofs of the buildings as many residents have gathered to watch the incident in the street.
After the blaze had been brought under control, firefighters could be seen going into the building and putting out remnants of the blaze.
A spokesperson for Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service said: "MFRS received a call at 1.23pm following a house fully involved in a fire on Arundel Avenue. We arrived at the scene at 1.30pm.
"Six fire engines are currently at the scene and are using aerial appliances.
"Six firefighters using breathing apparatus were using hose reels to get the fire under control.
"One resident has been safely removed from the house and is conscious and breathing.
"The fire spread to a neighbouring property and work is ongoing to get this under control with aerial appliances."
A full statement from Merseyside Fire and Rescue said: "Fire crews have been called to a house fire at Arundel Avenue, Liverpool 8 this afternoon.
"Crews were alerted at 1.23pm and on scene at 1.30pm, there are six fire engines and an aerial appliance on scene.
"Crews arrived to find a two storey mid-terraced house with a fire on the first floor and in the roof space. Two firefighters wearing breathing apparatus entered the building under rapid deployment and began to fight the fire with hose reel jets and also search the property. One occupant was led to safety, conscious and breathing.
"A further four firefighters wearing breathing apparatus were committed to the property making a total of six fighting the fire with hose reel jets and a main branch hose.
"The fire has spread from the roof space to the adjoining terrace. The incident has been divided into sectors and the fire at the original property is now suppressed and the properties on either side are being checked for fire spread.
"The incident is ongoing."
