One other person in hospital after fire crews respond to incident at home in Bootle
Four people have died after an overnight fire ripped through a semi-detached house on Merseyside.
The Merseyside fire and rescue service (MFRS) said crews arrived at the blaze in Bootle at about 3. 45am.
Speaking at the scene, the chief fire officer, Nick Searle, said four people inside the house had died and another person, outside the property, had been taken to hospital. He said the fire was “intense” and “spread very rapidly”.
At the fire’s height, six crews were on the scene and eight firefighters entered the house which was well alight when they arrived, a fire service spokesperson said.
One local person, who did not want to be named, said: “We all came out on the front and we could see smoke coming over from the houses.
“The sirens woke me up and there were fire engines in the street.”
Another person said: “I heard shouting in the early hours but I just thought someone was having an argument, then I came downstairs and saw all the fire engines.”
At the scene, Searle said: “Firstly, our thoughts are with everyone who’s been affected by the tragic incident this morning.”
He said the MFRS fire control room received a 999 call at 3. 30am and crews from surrounding stations were mobilised, with the first fire engine arriving at 3. 45am.
“The initial fire crews arrived to find the semi-detached house well alight. Crews were wearing breathing apparatus, entered the building to search the property for occupants, and fighting intense fire, which has spread very rapidly.
“Six fire engines were in attendance at the height of the incident. On arrival of the fire crews, a casualty was already outside of the property, and was taken into the care of North West ambulance service and subsequently transferred to hospital.
“During the course of the search of the property, firefighters discovered four casualties, showing no signs of life, and it’s now being confirmed that all four have tragically lost their lives.
“There will now be a full joint investigation with Merseyside fire and rescue service and Merseyside police into the cause of the fire. Our thoughts remain with the loved ones of those lost, and fire crews will maintain a visible and reassuring presence in the community over the coming days.”
The MFRS area manager, Kevin Longshaw, said: “This is a devastating incident, and our thoughts are very much with the family and friends of those who have lost their lives and been injured.
“We will work closely with relevant colleagues to ascertain the cause of the fire, but in the immediate term, we again extend our sincere condolences to those affected by this tragic incident.”