Firefighters had to force entry into a former nursing home as a blaze ripped through it.
Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service (MFRS) received a 999 call at around 7.19pm on Thursday, July 14, reporting a disused nursing home on Hard Lane in St Helens was on fire. Four fire engines arrived at the scene just six minutes later and found the former Abbey House care home well alight.
A 20 by 20 metre section of the ground floor was on fire and crews worked immediately to gain access to the gated site and get to work putting out the fire. Two firefighters wearing breathing apparatus were initially fighting the fire with a hose reel jet and a main branch hose to prevent the spread of fire to the main building.
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Crews were also attempting to gain access to the main building to check for fire spread. The main part of the fire was extinguished by 8.55pm, with "small pockets" of fire still in the single storey roof space.
Firefighters then had to remove roof felt from the building to access remaining pockets of fire.
A spokesperson from MFRS said: "Fire crews have been called to a fire at a disused nursing home to the rear of Windle Bowling Club, Hard Lane, Denton, St. Helens this evening. Crews were alerted at 7.19pm and on scene at 7.25pm. The incident was divided into sectors with five firefighters wearing breathing apparatus fighting fire with high pressure hose reels and a main branch hose.
"The incident is ongoing. Please avoid the area. Residents nearby should keep doors and windows closed. If you have an existing medical condition please keep medicines or treatment nearby and if any ill effects are experienced dial NHS 111."
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