A lightning bolt hit a United Utilities plant and caused a huge blaze which saw smoke billowing for miles.
Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service received multiple 999 calls from members of the public reporting they could see smoke from the United Utilities water treatment centre on Tuesday, September 6. The plant, on Stonebridge Lane in Fazakerley, had thick black smoke coming from it at around 5.03pm.
Once six fire engines arrived at the scene they found a silo - approximately 20m in height and 15m in diameter - was involved in fire. Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service have now confirmed the fire was caused by a lightning strike and was accidental.
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An eyewitness, who was parked in Stonedale Retail Park said he saw the "biggest flash" and "the loudest crash of thunder" before a Silo at the United Utilities Water Plant went up in flames.
The man said: "I was parked by bingo on Stonedale when I fully believe lightning touched down as I saw the biggest flash and the loudest crash of thunder. This may have been the cause."
Fire crews remained at the scene until almost 1am on Wednesday, with one crew returning this morning for temperature checks. The site was then handed back to United Utilities site staff.
A spokesperson from Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service said: "The incident was scaled down to two fire engines. Those crews remained on scene monitoring temperatures until 00:47am.
"One fire engine returned to the scene this morning to carry out more temperature checks. No further fire service interventions are required and the site has been handed back to site staff.
"An investigation has been carried out and found the fire was accidental and caused by a lightning strike."
A spokesperson for United Utilities said: “Emergency services attended Fazakerley Wastewater Treatment Works on the evening of Tuesday 6th September in response to a fire. This was brought under control and the site made safe, and we thank the fire service and the police for their efforts.”
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