Merseyside Police and MFRS launch investigation after a fatal house fire in Bootle

Merseyside Police and MFRS have launched a joint investigation following a fatal fire at a house in Antonio St #Bootle last night, Wednesday 18 March at 6pm when sadly a 67-year-old man has died. Crews were alerted at 5.59pm and on scene at 6.03pm. Six fire engines are currently in attendance as well as the combined platform ladder. On arrival crews found a fire involving a two storey property. The fire has spread to the roof space. The incident has been sectorised. Firefighters wearing breathing apparatus have entered the property. Merseyside Police and North West Ambulance Service are also in attendance. The incident is ongoing. UPDATE 7.33PM Firefighting continues at the scene. A 9m ladder has been set up to the first floor of one of the adjacent properties with a hose reel jet in use. The combined platform ladder is being used as a water tower and observation point. Nearby residents and businesses should keep windows and doors closed due to smoke. UPDATE 8.20PM Firefighters remain on scene. Crews are creating a safe access to the first floor of the property. The combined platform ladder is currently being used for cutting away. UPDATE 8.36PM Firefighters remain on scene and are damping down the property. One person has been rescued from the property by firefighters. Area Manager Gary Oakford said: "Merseyside Fire & Rescue Service were called to a house fire at a property on Antonio Street, Bootle at around 6pm this evening. Firefighters were on scene quickly within four minutes. Six fire engines attended the incident, as well as the aerial appliance. Crews worked tirelessly to tackle the fire in what I would describe as an exceptionally challenging incident and rescued one person from the property.” "The aerial appliance to tackle the fire from above, with the fire having spread to the roof space of the property. Neighbouring properties were also checked for fire spread. Firefighters remain on scene carrying out damping down operations.” "Merseyside Fire & Rescue Service's fire investigators will return to the property in the morning, along with colleagues from Merseyside Police, to carry out an investigation into the cause of the fire.” "I would like to thank the crews for their actions this evening, and also our Fire Control operators who received a large volume of calls in relation to this incident. I would also like to stress the importance of members of the public having working smoke alarms in their properties. You should have at least one working smoke alarm on each level of your home - these should be tested weekly."

UPDATE 11.20pm Merseyside Police and Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service (MFRS) have launched a joint investigation following a fatal fire at a house in Bootle tonight, Wednesday 18 March.  At around 6pm, MFRS received reports of a fire at a house in Antonio Street. A 67-year-old man was taken out of the house and received medical attention from paramedics but sadly died. His next of kin have been informed. Houses around the property were evacuated and road closures were in place for a few hours around Antonio Street, Hawthorne Road and Cambridge Road while MFRS put the fire out. At this stage the cause of the fire is not confirmed and extensive enquiries are ongoing at the scene, including forensics, house-to-house and CCTV. Detective Inspector Lee Wilkinson said: “Our thoughts are with the family at this sad time. We are working closely with MFRS in establishing the cause of this tragic incident, and I would ask anyone who lives in the area and saw or heard anything from around 6pm tonight to come forward.“ “You may have home CCTV or have been passing the house in a vehicle which has dashcam. Please check, as this could be vital to our investigation.” Anyone with information is asked to contact @MerPolCC or 101 with reference 0731 of 18 March 2020, or DM @CrimestoppersUK or call 0800 555 111.