Residents of a Liverpool city centre building were told to get out of their flats after a fire started in an apartment this afternoon (Saturday). A large fire service presence remains in Union Street, which lies off Old Hall Street in the city's central business district, after the blaze began in a block of apartments this evening.
Fire service response and cordon
At least three fire engines can still be seen in the area at the time of writing, next to the building where the fire started earlier. It is understood the fire started from an electrical source within a first floor apartment. The blaze was quickly put out by the fire service, but Union Street remains cordoned off for the time being.
Residents describe escape
People who were evacuated from the flat building said they haven't been told when they may be able to return to their homes. The ECHO spoke to two people who live in the building and described the scary moment they had to grab their pet dog and get out.
One person said: "We were told by our neighbour that there was a fire. The fire alarm went off twice and we were told to get out. We could smell like a rubbery burning smell at the time, so when we got out it got stronger."
He said: "I was in the shower at the time, so I jumped out and grabbed our dog and got out. The dog was the most important, we had to make sure he was safe."
Ongoing disruption
Another person from the flat building added: "I was in the office and the window was open and I heard 'fire, fire' and I was like 'a real fire?' wow." He added: "The firefighters have been over to tell us it was an electrical fire. The electricity and the water has been turned off and they are waiting for a specialist to come and check things over. We don't know how long it will be before we can get back in our home."
The ECHO has attempted to reach Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service for a further update.
