Drone footage has revealed the extent of a huge fire that broke out at a disused university campus in Liverpool on Saturday afternoon (October 17). Emergency services were called to the IM Marsh campus on Barkhill Road, on the border of Mossley Hill and Aigburth, after the blaze took hold.
Eight fire engines and aerial appliance at scene
Fire crews were alerted at 3.41pm and arrived nine minutes later, with eight fire engines and an aerial appliance in attendance. Crews found an unoccupied student accommodation building around 100 metres by 20 metres in size with a "well developed" fire in the roof and began fighting the blaze.
Merseyside Police were also in attendance, managing cordons on Barkhill Road and North Sudley Road. Drone footage from the scene, captured by ECHO reader Shaun, showed flames engulfing the roof of the building while large plumes of white smoke rose into the sky.
Residents told to keep doors and windows closed
People living in the area were advised to keep their doors and windows closed. A spokesperson for the fire service said: "If you have an existing medical condition, keep treatment close and if any ill effects are experienced dial NHS 111 for advice. Please avoid the area, the incident is ongoing."
The latest update from Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service said the incident has been divided into sections, with firefighters tackling the blaze externally with main branch hoses and firefighters wearing breathing apparatus fighting the fire internally with hose reel jets. The update added: "All utilities have been isolated. Please continue to avoid the area and keep doors and windows shut."
University confirms no casualties
When ECHO reporter Rebecca McGrath attended the scene, a cordon was in place at either end of Barkhill Road and plumes of smoke could be seen in the sky. The area also smelt strongly of smoke. North Sudley Road was also closed, with a police officer turning members of the public away from the area.
A spokesperson for LJMU said: "The university is working closely with the emergency services following a major fire at IM Marsh. The fire has been contained and there have been no casualties reported. The university vacated the site a number of years ago with no teaching or other student-facing activity at IM Marsh since 2020. LJMU thanks all of the emergency services for their swift response."
