A man has been charged with arson following a large warehouse fire in Bootle. Emergency services were called at around 8.20pm on Tuesday, September 29, to reports that an industrial unit on Fernhill Road, which houses the Fast Fit Garage, had been deliberately set alight.
Nearby homes were evacuated and road closures were put in place. Fernhill Road remained closed on the morning of Thursday, October 1, with police guarding the scene.
Arrests and charges
Merseyside Police announced that a 37-year-old man from Belle Vale was arrested on suspicion of arson with intent to endanger life. A 28-year-old man from the Kirkby area was also arrested on the same suspicion.
Following the investigation, Kurram Shahzad, 37, of Belle Vale, has been charged with arson with recklessness as to whether life was endangered. He has been remanded to appear at Wirral Magistrate’s Court on Thursday, October 1. The second man, from Kirkby, has been conditionally bailed pending further inquiries.
Fire response and ongoing investigation
Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service said crews were alerted to the suspected arson attack at 8.23pm and arrived shortly afterward with eight fire engines and one aerial appliance. Firefighters remained at the site overnight, with several multi-agency meetings held during the early hours of Wednesday, September 30.
Firefighting efforts continued into Wednesday morning. The ambulance service, which had been called to the scene, was stood down as the incident was scaled down. No injuries were reported. Scottish Power was requested, and at 12.44am, electricity to the affected property was isolated.
A joint investigation between Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service and Merseyside Police is ongoing. Anyone with information is asked to contact police with reference 26000801498.
