Residents woke up to "bangs" and flashing lights from emergency services following a "deliberate" attack on a doctors surgery.
At around 2.30am today, police and officers from Merseyside Fire and Rescue were called to a report of a fire at Roby Medical Centre on Pilch Lane East in Huyton.
The fire was extinguished and there are no reports of anyone being injured.
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Police said further enquiries established the ground floor window of the building had been damaged and that the fire had been caused deliberately.
A police cordon around the doctors surgery was in place this morning and a vehicle from Merseyside Fire and Rescue, scientific support and a police van remained at the scene, alongside detectives.
Images of the medical center show two front windows smashed, with another pane of glass also damaged.
Black soot on the walls beneath the windows could also be seen.
Residents in the area described their shock following the incident and said the road is "usually quiet".
One person said they woke up to emergency services and "alarms going off" at around 2.30am.
Local residents also said they believe new doctors had taken over the surgery only a couple of weeks ago and the upstairs of the medical centre had only just been refurbished by new occupants.
A notice on the Roby Medical Centre said two new partners were recently welcomed to the practice after another left.
Speaking to the ECHO, one person said: "I woke up to flashing lights. I thought it was a police chase first.
"I didn't know what it was, wasn't until this morning that I saw all that had been done."
Other people said they heard "bangs" and what also sounded like "bins banging" around the time of the incident.
A spokesperson for Knowsley CCG confirmed Toby Medical Centre is closed following the incident and due to the police investigation, are not able to provide further information.
A spokesperson for the CCG said: "Roby Medical Centre, Huyton, is temporarily closed due to an incident that took place.
"At this stage the police are still investigating the matter and therefore the practice is not able to provide further information about the incident.
"Patients have been informed and advised what to do if they need support today.
"The practice is working to get phone lines open as soon as possible and updates will be provided via the practice website and patient messaging service.
"Patients who need immediate support should call NHS111 or visit the local Walk in Centre in Huyton to seek medical attention.
"The practice, supported by Knowsley CCG, is working hard to restore services, which may require the temporary relocation of services in the next few days."
An investigation is now underway and officers are currently carrying out CCTV and witness enquiries in the area.
A spokesperson for Merseyside Police said: "At around 2.30am this morning Thursday, February 24 officers and Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service (MFRS) were called to a report of a fire at Roby Medical Centre on Pilch Lane in Huyton.
"The fire was extinguished and there are no reports of anyone being injured.
"Further enquiries established that damage was caused to a ground floor window of the building and the fire was caused deliberately.
"An investigation is underway and officers are currently carrying out CCTV and witness enquiries in the area."
Anyone with information on this incident is asked to contact us @MerPolCC or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 with reference 0068 of 24 February.
To report any crime, always contact 999 in an emergency. Alternatively, you can DM @MerPolCC, call 101 or Crimestoppers, anonymously on 0800 555 111 or via their online form here.
