Firefighters have been working tirelessly to control a significant fire that broke out at a former NHS healthcare centre in Southport.
The blaze occurred at the Hesketh Centre, located at the junction of Albert Road and Park Road West, in the early hours of the morning, at around 02:40 GMT.
Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service (MFRS) responded promptly to the fire, which saw the upper floor and roof of the four-storey building engulfed in flames.
The building, which had been vacant for some time, had sold at auction in July for £800,000. As of now, the blaze has caused extensive damage to the structure, though no injuries have been reported.
Authorities temporarily closed several roads in the surrounding area to ensure the safety of the public and allow emergency crews to tackle the blaze. Four fire crews were dispatched to the scene to control the blaze and prevent it from spreading further.
The Hesketh Centre, a former healthcare facility, has been abandoned for several years and is a well-known site in Southport.
Its history as part of the NHS adds a layer of significance to the incident, as the building has been a part of the local community for decades. There has been no indication of the cause of the blaze as of yet, but investigations are likely to follow.
This blaze comes at a time when concerns around fire safety in vacant properties have been highlighted in local communities, especially those with a history of healthcare use.
The rapid response from the fire service has been praised, but the extent of the damage to the building and its future remains uncertain.
The blaze is currently under investigation by Merseyside Police and Fire Service, with authorities seeking to determine the cause and any potential safety risks in the surrounding area.
As work continues to extinguish the flames, the local community remains on edge, hoping for a swift resolution to the situation.
