Warrington fire: Black smoke seen for miles as firefighters scrambled to horror blaze.ukk
A number of firefighters are responding to a huge blaze at a residential property in Warrington, Cheshire. The blaze erupted at an address on Marsh House Lane in the town, with emergency services rushing the scene.
In an update at 9:50pm Cheshire Fire and Rescue Service said 50 people have been rescued including through the windows and balconies.
The fire service say everyone in the building has been accounted for and investigation is underway.
Cheshire Police closed roads in the vicinity and a police helicopter was deployed. Several paramedics from North West Ambulance Service were also reportedly attending.
The fire service previously told residents to “avoid the area if you can” as they respond, and provided a link to its website for further updates.
CFRS said fire engines from Warrington, Birchwood, Lymm, Knutsford, Penketh and Alsager were scrambled to the address, as well as an aerial ladder platform from Lymm. They are being supported by several of appliances from Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service.
Cheshire Police have been approached for an update via email.
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Fire service releases dramatic images
Cheshire Fire and Rescue Service have released the following dramatic images:
Fire service reacting to the fire on Marsh House Lane (Image: Cheshire Fire and Rescue Service)
Over 50 people were rescued (Image: Cheshire Fire and Rescue Service)
50 people rescued, say fire service in latest statement
Cheshire Fire and Rescue Service say 50 people have been rescued including through the windows and balconies.
Roads in the area will remain closed overnight, the police believe everyone has been accounted for.
The statement read: “We can confirm that firefighters have extinguished a large fire in the stairwell of a four-storey block of flats.
“A total of 50 people have been rescued from the building, including through the windows and balconies of the third and fourth floor.
“North West Ambulance Service triaged and treated those rescued on the scene and thankfully no serious injuries have been reported.
“At this time it is believed everyone in the building has been accounted for but firefighters will carryout thorough checks. The blue light response has been significant, but the number of emergency service resources are being reduced accordingly. Fire crews will remain in attendance overnight.
“Roads in the immediate area will remain closed. An investigation into the cause is underway.”
Update due in just over 10 minutes
Cheshire Fire and Rescue Service say an update is due at 10pm.
Large emergency presence on Marsh House Lane (Image: Cheshire Fire and Rescue Service)
Local buses on diversion
Due to blaze a series of buses are on diversion.
Helicopter spotted hovering
One Warrington local says a helicopter is still hovering over the block of flats.
The user on X said: “There is a fire marsh house lane in one of the houses I was told.
“Saw about 7 ambulances all rushing through, loads of police from all sides of Warrington and the helicopter still hovering over so must be bad.”
Numerous fire engines line the streets
Images from the scene show numerous fire engines lining the streets.
A number of roads in the vicinity have been closed by Cheshire Police.
Residents rescued from flats with ladders
Residents have reportedly been rescued from the flats by firefighters using ladders.
Good evening
Good evening, my name is Lauran O’Toole and I will be taking over this live blog and providing you with all the latest updates on this incident.
A number of people have been rescued from dwellings on the upper storeys of the four-storey building.
A ‘number of people’ rescued from upper stories of burning building, fire service
A “number of people” have been rescued by first responders from the residential property in Warrington where a fire broke out this afternoon.
In an update at 7.30pm, Cheshire Fire & Rescue Service said: “A number of road closures are in place to allow emergency services access to the incident.
“Firefighters wearing breathing apparatus are working in teams to tackle the fire from the exterior of the building.
“A number of people have been rescued from dwellings on the upper storeys of the four-storey building.”
Bus routes on diversion due to fire, local firm says
Warrington’s Own Buses, a municipal bus firm which operates a network of services within the Warrington and surrounding areas says two buses are on diversion due to the blaze.
In a post on X, the company wrote: “due to a fire on marsh house lane the 17s and 25s are currently on diversion”.
It directed transport users to its website, where the alternate routes are laid out in service update.
Witness describes ‘terrifying scene’
A neighbour described a “terrifying scene” as the blaze broke out on Monday.
Speaking to the Warrington Guardian, she said: “I was chilling, scrolling through my phone after a long day until I heard what seemed to be screaming from outside my window.
The local resident said at first they “thought nothing of it as it is a sunny day and children are usually outside playing at this time”.
She continued: “My curiosity got the best of me and I decided to take a look from my window to witness a terrifying scene.
“I have never seen a fire in real life, let alone one close to where I live.
The local said she hopes “everyone who was inside the building is ok and safe with family and friends, and my heart goes out to them all”.
Update from fire service
In its latest updated at 6.15pm, Cheshire Fire and Rescue Service said: “Shortly after 17:20 North West Fire Control received multiple reports of a fire in the stairwell of flats on Marsh House Lane.
“Crews wearing breathing apparatus have been deployed to tackle the fire”.
It urged resident to avoid the area if they are able to do so, and said further updates would follow.
