An investigation has been launched after fire crews rushed to a Wirral road as a fire ripped through a building.
People were urged to avoid an area of Borough Road, near Oxton after Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service was called at around 8.37pm on Monday, May 30, following reports of a fire. Four fire engines arrived at the scene just three minutes later where they found a single storey building with smoke billowing from it.
Several firefighters used an angle grinder to break into the 20m by 30m property as people living nearby were asked to keep windows and doors closed. Just one hour later, at 9.41pm, fire crews continued to wear breathing apparatus to suppress the fire as electricity to the building was isolated.
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In a statement, the service said: "A multi agency meeting has taken place between MFRS and Merseyside Police. Cordons remain in place. Please avoid the area."
The fire service put up a cordon on Borough Road as people were urged to avoid the area. Shortly after 10pm on Monday, fire crews were carrying out hot spotting and dampening down operations as the cordon remained in place.
The fire service has since confirmed that crews left the scene at 11.46pm and an investigation has been launched into the cause of the fire. Unconfirmed reports on social media suggested the fire occurred not far from a nearby petrol station.