Footage shows the moment thick black smoke poured over back gardens as a fire broke out at a derelict church.
Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service confirmed crews were called to the closed-down Maghull Methodist Church on Tuesday afternoon after a fire broke out at the empty hut on the church grounds. The church closed in September 2021, with a planning application being submitted for the demolition of the building.
Firefighters received the call at 4.36pm on Tuesday, April 4, before arriving at the scene at 4.45pm. Four fire engines arrived to find the single-storey building was involved in the fire.
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Firefighters wearing breathing apparatus used a high-pressure hose reel to tackle the blaze. The fire was put out by 5.49pm, with crews leaving the scene at 6.42pm.
Photos taken by the ECHO show the charred building following the fire. The first Methodist church was built at Liverpool Road in 1896, with the current building having been constructed in 1965. An extension was constructed in 1995, adding side buildings to the original structure.
An MFRS spokesperson told the ECHO: "Merseyside Fire & Rescue Service was called to Liverpool Road North, Maghull, on Tuesday 4 April. Crews were alerted at 4.36pm and on scene at 4.45pm. Four fire engines attended.
"On arrival crews found a single-storey building, measuring approximately 25m by 10m, involved in fire. Firefighters wearing breathing apparatus used a high-pressure hose reel jet to tackle the fire.
"All firefighting operations had ceased by 5.49pm, with crews making up equipment. Fire crews left the scene at 6.42pm."
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