Liverpool fire causes huge plumes of smoke over city

A fire in a four-storey building near a city centre is no longer being considered a "major incident", firefighters have said.

"Successful firefighting tactics have resulted in the fire being greatly reduced," Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service (MFRS) said.

The incident has been scaled down and crews are now dealing with hot spots and small pockets of fire.

Locals who were evacuated earlier are being allowed to return to their homes.

Residents had been warned to continue to keep doors and windows shut.

Twelve fire engines rushed to Fox Street in Liverpool after the blaze broke out at about 14:20 GMT.

MFRS said there had been no reports of casualties and more than 50 firefighters had attended the blaze at its height.

Nearby roads were temporarily closed by police but Great Homer Street has now been reopened for vehicle access.

Everton resident Michael Pearson said abandoned buildings in the area had been a source of concern for locals.

He described the fire as an "awful situation that potentially could have been avoided," adding: "To see it go up in flames is quite shocking but actually I think that people who live in the Everton area may not be that surprised."

MFRS had earlier declared the fire a major incident and said it had been "divided into four sectors, with ground monitor main branch hoses, multiple main branch hoses and a combined platform ladder in use".

It said Merseyside Police had assisted with the evacuations and a cordon remains in place around the building.

Earlier it was thought it could collapse but the MFRS said: "A structural engineer has attended and advised that they are satisfied with the structural integrity of the building."

Huge plumes of smoke could be seen across the city, including over Goodison Park during Everton's FA Cup tie against Luton Town, as well as from across the River Mersey in Wirral.

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