'Explosion' heard as black plumes of smoke rise from huge fire in Liverpool
Residents near Sefton Park in Liverpool reported an 'explosion' noise around 1:30pm.
Liverpool: Fire engines at scene of fire on Arundel Avenue
Emergency services have raced to a house fire in Liverpool after smoke was seen billowing into the sky. An “explosion” was reportedly heard in Arundel Avenue, Sefton Park, at around 1.30pm, according to one report.
Pictures from the scene show fire engines, ambulances and teams of emergency services workers at the scene.
Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service said crews were alerted to the blaze at 1.23pm on Saturday (April 15) and were at the scene seven minutes later.
The fire was on the first floor and in the roof space of the mid-terrace, two-storey house.
Two firefighters wearing breathing apparatus rushed into the burning building and fought the flames with hose reel jets.
They also carried out a search of the property, leading one person to safety.
The fire spread from the roof to homes on either side. Footage from the scene shows a firefighter tackling the fire from on top of a fire enging ladder.
Firefighters, who divided the fire into sectors, said the fire at the original property is now "suppressed" while the properties on either side are being checked for fire spread.
The incident is ongoing, according to Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service.
A witness, who did not give their name, told the Liverpool Echo smoke was "pouring from the roof", but the emergency services worked quickly to bring it under control.
They described the fire as a "bad one".
Part of the roof of the house where the fire started collapsed in the blaze.
Firefighters in the crane above could he heard shouting, "Out, out" to colleagues below just before part of the roof crashed down.
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Gabriel Pradal, 21, who lives next door to the property where the fire broke out on, said he was cooking with music on "full blast" so did not hear an explosion.
He said he then heard neighbours rushing around, banging on the windows and telling him to get out.
There are around 5 fire engines dealing with the fire here on Arundel Avenue. @LivEchonews pic.twitter.com/wVQtQ7M4a2
— Elliot Ryder (@elliot_ryder) April 15, 2023