Residents were told they ‘need to get out’ as crews made their way to a tower block fire. Multiple witnesses reported fireworks being aimed at the high-rise building in Kirkby, Merseyside, shortly after 8pm yesterday (October 16).
Firefighters arrived to discover a blaze on a 12th floor balcony at the Beech Rise flats, on Roughwood Road. Dozens stood in dressing gowns at the car park below, with some carrying pets after fleeing their homes.
They stood outside in the cold ‘for hours’ while firefighters worked at the scene, the Liverpool Echo reports. An orange glow was seen coming from the balcony in videos on social media before crews were able to tackle the flames.
READ MORE: Woman thought she’d got in the way of ‘filming for Top Gear’ shortly before collision which killed biker, trial hears
READ MORE: ‘I’ve never seen anything like it’: Shock as horror Piccadilly Gardens bus crash leaves woman fighting for her life
It wasn’t long before the blaze was extinguished, with emergency services remaining at the scene to search other floors of the building. One couple, who live on the 11th floor, said they chose to leave their home after noticing a number of fire engines arrive at the scene.
They said: “We heard the engines and sirens before the alarm went off. Once we saw a couple of fire engines arrive we decided to evacuate. I didn’t see anything happen, we walked down as people started coming and going. As we got to the lower floors we started to smell smoke.
Police and paramedics were also at the scene
(Image: Liverpool Echo)
“It was calm when we came out but we took a bit of distance to make sure we weren’t in the way, and we went to get food as it’s cold. We can see smoke damage to one of the balconies that they seem to be investigation.”
Another resident who was standing outside the flats claimed ‘children fired a firework at the flats’. This has not been confirmed by Merseyside Police or the fire service.
The woman said: “Kids in the park or car park fired a firework at the flats which set the balcony on fire. I don’t know how much damage has been done but they’ve obviously had to check all the flats.
“The fire brigade were here before the before the alarms. We were just on my balcony looking and we could just see smoke coming around the building, because I’m in the front.
“Normally it’s just a false alarm, so sometimes you tend not to really bother, but I said we better go down and see if there’s anybody on the stairwell. As I came out the fire brigade were going up and said ‘you need to get out’. We have been here for hours.”
Investigators shine torches as they search the building
(Image: Liverpool Echo)
Police forensics were at the scene along with the North West Ambulance Service and multiple fire engines. Nobody is believed to have been injured in the blaze and nobody was found in the flat where the fire started.
A statement from Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service said: “Fire crews have been called to a fire at Beech Rise, Roughwood Drive, Northwood, Kirkby tonight. Crews were alerted at 8.13pm and on scene at 8.16pm after reports of a fire on a balcony on the high rise building. Five fire engines and an aerial appliance are in attendance.
“Crews arrived to find a fire on a balcony on the 12th floor. Crews gained entry to the flat concerned and three firefighters began to fight the fire with a main branch hose and quickly extinguished it.
“Crews searched the flat for occupants and are also searching flats above and below the location of the fire for any residents. The flat linked to the balcony where the fire has taken place has been thoroughly searched and no occupants have been found.
“Fans are being used to clear smoke from the building and a full evacuation has begun. Searches of flats from floor ten to the top floor have now commenced to ensure safety of residents. Merseyside Police are in attendance and are managing a cordon.”
Story Saved
You can find this story in My Bookmarks.Or by navigating to the user icon in the top right.
>>> Read full article>>>
Copyright for syndicated content belongs to the linked Source : ManchesterEveningNews – https://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/news/uk-news/frantic-plea-made-residents-tower-27922543
