A couple were rescued from a burning house after a blaze raged and blew out the upstairs window.
People living on Quernmore Road in Kirkby were startled awake by the sound of a loud bang as a fire engulfed a house shortly after 6am on Thursday. Firefighters were alerted to the fire at 6.10am and arrived on scene five minutes later.
They were joined by paramedics and police who sealed off a section of the road. One man was walking to the shop to get some sugar when he saw smoke billowing above the rooftops of nearby houses.
READ MORE: Road closed and 'heavy traffic' after bus crashes into level crossing
As he made his way around the corner, the man said he saw "the fire blazing" out of the upstairs window. Firefighters found a fire on the first floor of a property and entered the house under rapid deployment to start a search.
Two people in their 50s were taken to hospital, but the nature of any injuries is yet to be confirmed. Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service said the fire had been extinguished by 7.03am.
One mum, who did not want to be named, said she woke her children up and brought them downstairs after hearing the sound of a loud bang. She said: "I just saw a bright pink light and heard a big bang.
"I got the kids downstairs because I wasn't sure if it was going to blow again or not. I sat the kids in the hall.
"When I've come outside the guy that lives there was already outside - he was distraught obviously."
Another woman, who lives nearby, said: "We heard the bang, I thought it was a gunshot. I was lying in bed and two minutes later I heard sirens. I looked out and one fire engine was already here and then a load more arrived.
"To be honest I'm just glad they got out because the smoke was billowing. As soon as we came out we were watching [the firefighters] trying to connect the hose."
A small cordon remains in place on Quernmore Road where an investigation into the cause of the fire is now underway.
Merseyside Police said in a statement: "We are currently at the scene of a fire in Kirkby.
"We received a report at around 6.30am of a fire at a property on Quernmore Road and we attended to assist Merseyside Fire and Rescue. Two people aged in their 50s have been taken to hospital.
"We remain at the scene and enquiries are ongoing to establish the cause of the fire."
READ NEXT:
Teenage gunman 'sparked open gang warfare on streets of Liverpool'
Footage shows terrifying moment lifeguards attempt major River Mersey rescue
Luxury train ride taking Liverpool passengers on swanky journey with seven course meal
Body of puppy starved to death was 'one of saddest sights' RSPCA officer had ever seen
