Two Arrested on Suspicion of Arson After Huge Bootle Fire Forces Residents From Their Homes

Two men have been arrested on suspicion of arson with intent to endanger life following the huge fire which tore through an industrial building on Fernhill Road in Bootle last night.

The blaze broke out shortly after 8.20pm on Tuesday 29 September and prompted a major emergency response, with firefighters remaining at the scene throughout the night and into Wednesday morning.

The industrial warehouse contains Fast Fit Garage and the fire was so severe that nearby homes were evacuated as a precaution.

No injuries have been reported.

Merseyside Police have confirmed that a 37 year old man from Belle Vale and a 28 year old man from Kirkby have both been arrested on suspicion of arson with intent to endanger life.

Both men remain in police custody for questioning.

Fernhill Road remains closed to vehicles and pedestrians this afternoon, Wednesday 30 September, while emergency services continue to deal with the aftermath of the fire.

Eight fire engines and aerial appliance sent to scene…

Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service said crews were alerted to the incident at 8.23pm and arrived shortly afterwards.

Eight fire engines and an aerial appliance were sent to the scene as the fire took hold of the building.

Firefighters established water supplies before dividing the incident into separate sectors to tackle the blaze from different positions.

In sector one, two main branches and a hose reel jet were used, with two firefighters wearing breathing apparatus.

A further main branch was operating in sector two, while two main branches were being used in sector three.

The aerial appliance was also brought into operation and a multi agency meeting took place involving Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service, Merseyside Police and North West Ambulance Service.

Residents living nearby were advised to keep their doors and windows closed because of the smoke, while anyone with an existing health condition was told to keep medication close and contact NHS 111 if they experienced any ill effects.

Firefighters remained throughout the night.

In a further update issued at 7.45am today, Wednesday 30 September, Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service confirmed that crews had remained at the scene throughout the night.

Several multi agency meetings took place during the early hours as firefighters continued working to bring the incident to a close.

Firefighting operations continued into Wednesday morning, with one main branch being used to tackle the blaze externally.

The aerial appliance was used as a water tower and two hose reel jets were deployed through the roller shutter of the premises.

North West Ambulance Service was later stood down as the number of emergency resources at the scene began to be reduced.

Scottish Power was also requested to attend and, at 12.44am, the electricity supply to the affected property was isolated.

At 1.15am, firefighters were still tackling the blaze externally using one main branch, with another branch being directed through the roller shutter.

From 2.16am, crews continued damping down the building and dealing with hot spots using two main jets.

Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service said this morning that the incident remained ongoing and continued to advise people to avoid the area.

Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service statement in full…

The initial statement from Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service said:

“Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service (MFRS) is currently in attendance at an incident on Fernhill Road, Aintree, on the evening of Tuesday 29 September.

Crews were alerted at 8.23pm and arrived on scene shortly after, with eight fire engines and one aerial appliance attending.

This is in response to a building fire, crews established water supplies and this incident has been sectorised.

Sector one has two main branches and one hose reel jet in use with two firefighters wearing breathing apparatus (BA). Sector two consists of one main branch, while sector three has two main branches in operation.

The aerial appliance is being set up for use. A multi agency meeting has taken between Fire, Police, and North West Ambulance Service (NWAS).

Local residents should keep doors and windows closed. Anyone with an existing health condition should keep medication close and if any ill effects are experienced dial NHS 111 for advice.

The incident is ongoing, please avoid the area.”

Full Wednesday morning update from Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service

At 7.45am, the fire service issued a further update:

“MFRS crews have remained at scene through the night to bring this incident to a close, with several multi agency meetings taking place during the early hours of Wednesday 30 September.

Firefighting activities continued into Wednesday morning with one main branch in use to fight the fire externally, and the aerial appliance was used as a water tower. Two hose reel jets were in use from the roller shutter of the premises.

NWAS were stood down as the number of resources at scene at this incident began to be scaled down.

Scottish Power were requested, and at 12.44am, the electricity to the affected property was isolated.

By 1.15am, MFRS crews continued to fight the fire externally with one main branch, with one further branch used through the roller shutter.

From 2.16am, firefighters continued to damp down and hot spot with two main jets in use.

This is an ongoing incident, please avoid the area.”

Police investigation underway

Police received the report at around 8.20pm on Tuesday that the industrial warehouse on Fernhill Road had been set alight in what is being treated as a suspected arson attack.

The 37 year old man from Belle Vale and 28 year old man from Kirkby were subsequently arrested on suspicion of arson with intent to endanger life.

Both remain in custody while enquiries continue.

Despite the scale of the blaze, no injuries have been reported. Nearby homes were evacuated as a precaution and road closures were introduced around the scene.

Fernhill Road remains closed to both vehicles and pedestrians this afternoon.

Sefton Bubble will bring you further updates as more information is confirmed by Merseyside Police and Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service.