Neighbours heard "fireworks" before a huge fire broke out at a social club in Fazakerley.
Shortly after 8pm on Saturday, October 29, emergency services rushed to Harradon Road following reports of a fire at an unoccupied social club, just off Longmoor Lane. Eight fire crews were at the scene, as well as Merseyside Police and North West Ambulance Service.
Nearby roads including Albany Road, Goodacre Road and Poulter Road were all closed as eyewitnesses said a "huge" cordon was put in place. People were urged to avoid the area as the incident is "ongoing".
READ MORE: Updates as 'huge' cordon in place after fire breaks out at social club
Shortly before fire crews arrived, neighbours at a nearby Halloween party heard "lots of fireworks" before police knocked on the door to "check everyone was ok." One person living near the social club said the ceiling of the building looked "like it's about to collapse" as they added: "There’s a petrol station not too far and gas cylinders in the car park."
Images taken from people who live nearby showed huge flames and smoke billowing from the social club as fire crews fought to get the blaze under control. Houses line the streets nearby and residents were urged to keep all doors and windows closed.
A spokesperson for Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service confirmed that crews arrived to find a single storey unoccupied social club around 60 x 20 metres well alight. After establishing a water supply, four firefighters wearing breathing apparatus began fighting the fire with high pressure hose reels and a main branch hose.
They said: "Please avoid the area. Residents should keep doors and windows closed. If you have an existing health condition please keep medicines nearby- if any ill effects are experienced dial NHS 111."
In their latest update, as fire crews gained access to the rear and front of the building, the fire service added: "An Aerial appliance has now joined the eight fire engines on scene. The incident has been divided into sectors, with teams of firefighters wearing breathing apparatus fighting the fire externally and internally with hose reels and main jets. The incident continues."
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