The fire was finally extinguished at around 40 minutes past midnightFire breaks out at takeaway on Smithdown Road
Smithdown Road has reopened after a massive blaze broke out in a takeaway. Smoke and flames were seen pouring from the roof of the building at around 10pm yesterday, May 10.
The Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service was called to the scene at around at 10.04pm and arrived within six minutes, at 10.10pm. Firefighters used eight fire engines and an aerial appliance to tackle the fire, which burned for more than two hours before it was finally extinguished. Both ends of Smithdown Road were cordoned off by Merseyside Police, and neighbouring Kenmare Road and Claremont Road were also closed.
Traffic restrictions have now been lifted, the force confirmed this morning.
In an update, a Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service spokesman said: “MFRS crews have worked diligently through the night to bring this incident to a close, with the fire extinguished at 00.27am on the morning of Monday, May 11.
“Firefighters damped down hot spots at the scene and monitor temperatures, with the aerial appliance in use externally.
“By 00.42am, the incident begun to scale down with six fire engines in attendance, a further two engines were released at 1.26am.
“Crews removed roof tiles to check for hotspots and monitor temperatures, while utilities to the premises were isolated.
“At 3.50am, crews carried out a search of the entire property before firefighters made up their equipment and handed over the scene to Merseyside Police, before leaving at 3.58am.” An investigation into the cause of the fire is ongoing.
Flames coming from a takeaway on Smithdown Road as people are urged to avoid the area(Image: Liverpool ECHO)
Huge clouds of black smoke were seen billowing above the burning takeaway as emergency services rushed to the scene last night. An eyewitness living in the area told the ECHO: “My housemates and I witnessed smoke rising from the buildings on the corner of Barrington Road, so my housemate called 999.
“The fire brigade and police arrived in about five minutes, before which there was a huge explosion that came from the back of the buildings. We watched it happen and I took some footage of the situation as it developed.”
Merseyside Fire and Rescue said: “On arrival this was a fire within a property, two firefighters in breathing apparatus (BA) were committed under rapid deployment with one hose reel jet to fight the fire.
“This incident has been sectorised, and the fire has spread to the chimney into the roof above. MFRS crews are continuing to fight the fire internally and externally.
“The building has been evacuated, and Merseyside Police are in attendance to assist with traffic management. This is an ongoing incident, please avoid the area.”