A woman and three children have died following a house fire in Merseyside.
Emergency services were called to the blaze at a semi-detached property in Stone Square, Bootle, in Sefton, at about 3.45am on Tuesday, Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service confirmed.
A spokesperson said that four people had been found showing no signs of life in an upstairs bedroom.
“Two members of North West Ambulance’s Hazardous Area Response Team were subsequently committed into the incident and tragically confirmed that all four had lost their lives,” the spokesperson said.
A fifth person was outside the house when crews arrived, and was taken to hospital suffering from burns.
Speaking from the scene, Chief Fire Officer Nick Searle said described the fire as “intense” and said that it “spread very rapidly”.
Police officers cordoned off the street on Tuesday morning, with fire crews seen knocking on the doors of neighbouring homes as fire engines arrived and departed from the area.
Fire service 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.”
At the height of the incident, six fire engines were at the scene.
Eight firefighters entered the property, which was well alight upon arrival, to search for occupants and tackle the blaze, a fire service spokesperson said.
The fire service is now undertaking a joint investigation with Merseyside Police to establish the cause of the blaze.
One neighbour, 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 woman 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.”
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