Emergency services are at the scene of a fire at an industrial building on Merton Street in St Helens, prompting a road closure and an 'avoid the area' warning.
Crews were called at around 3.58am on Wednesday, August 19, with Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service and Merseyside Police in attendance. Due to the large amount of smoke, local residents have been advised to keep doors and windows closed while firefighters work to extinguish the blaze.
Five fire engines at the scene
A spokesperson for Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service said: "Crews were alerted at 3.58am and arrived on scene at 4.03am, with five fire engines and an aerial appliance in attendance."
The spokesperson added: "Crews arrived to find a single storey industrial building partially involved in fire. Firefighters wearing breathing apparatus immediately began tackling the fire with a hose reel jet."
Residents advised to stay indoors
"The incident is ongoing. Due to a large amount of smoke from this incident, local residents should keep doors and windows closed. If you have an existing medical condition keep medicines to hand and if any ill effects are experienced dial NHS 111 for advice," the spokesperson said.
The latest update said: "The main body of fire was extinguished by around 6.45am after crews made good progress. Crews continued to damp down and check for hot spots and measures were taken by crews to prevent water run off from the incident entering the water course. The incident was scaled down to two fire engines at around 8am."
