A man is fighting for his life after a devastating fire engulfed his home in Broadgreen yesterday morning. Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service responded to the blaze on Thomas Drive at 5:54 a.m. on June 16, arriving within six minutes with three fire engines.
Firefighters Battled Blaze
Upon arrival, firefighters found the ground floor of the two-storey house on fire. Four firefighters wearing breathing apparatus used one hose reel jet to extinguish the flames. A second team, also equipped with breathing masks, entered the property to search for occupants.
The man was rescued and treated by paramedics before being rushed to the hospital. Crews continued to fight the fire and search the premises. The fire was brought under control by 6:30 a.m.
Road Closure and Damage
Thomas Drive was closed between Norville Road and Queens Drive during the incident. When the Liverpool Echo visited the scene, extensive damage was visible from the street. Much of the property appeared gutted, with severe fire damage stretching from the ground floor to the roof.
Police officers conducted door-to-door enquiries in the area, while forensic officers and fire investigators were also on site.
Victim in Critical Condition
A Merseyside Police spokesperson confirmed that the man, in his 60s, had been taken to Whiston Hospital, where he remains in critical condition. The joint investigation with Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service into the cause of the fire is ongoing.
Neighbors Recall Terrifying Moments
Residents living nearby reported being woken by a loud bang before seeing flames and smoke billowing from the home. One neighbor on Norville Road described seeing flames tearing through the roof as firefighters battled the blaze.
“We heard a big bang about half five. There are fireworks here a lot, so we assumed it was that. But when we looked out of the window, there was black smoke coming through the roof. The whole place was on fire. Thick black smoke was rising toward the sky. We heard all the windows cracking with the fire, glass shattering. It was terrible. I shed a tear over it all,” they said.
Another neighbor noted that the homeowner had recently invested in improvements. “He had just had all his windows refitted about six months ago. Now the whole house is destroyed. It’s so sad. I hope he’s okay.”
A third neighbor added, “I didn’t hear a thing, but my neighbors said they saw smoke from the roof and worried it would spread. I saw how bad it was this morning when I walked past. It’s just awful; it’s burned right through.”
Others also reported hearing a loud bang around 5:30 a.m. but initially thought little of it.
Anyone with information is urged to call 101 or DM @MerPolCC on social media, quoting log number 146 of June 16.
