Firefighters are battling a significant fire in the sand dunes at Formby this evening. Six fire engines are currently at the scene near Albert Road, where crews are tackling a gorse fire measuring around 300m by 300m.
Crews on scene since 8pm
Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service said crews were on scene at 8.00pm, with six fire engines currently in attendance. They arrived to find a gorse fire around 300 by 300 metres in size, with beaters and hoses in use.
Connected hose lines have enabled water supplies to be established over considerable distance. The incident is ongoing.
Flames spreading towards beach
Dramatic footage taken from a distance shows flames spreading across the dunes as thick black smoke rises into the sky. A photo taken near Formby beach shows fire spreading across the sand dunes, with a witness saying the fire was "heading over the tops of the dunes now towards the beach."
Fire crews are tackling the 'significant' blaze, and the incident remains ongoing.
