Fire crews worked through the night to tackle the blazeDan Haygarth Liverpool Daily Post Editor and Regeneration Reporter
13:19, 20 Aug 2025Updated 13:24, 20 Aug 2025
Smoke still visible after a fire at Woolton Hall(Image: Andrew Teebay Liverpool Echo)
Liverpool City Council has issued a statement after a huge fire at Woolton Hall last night. Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service (MFRS) worked throughout the night to tackle the fire at the manor house on Speke Road, Woolton.
They were alerted to the fire at the Grade I listed building just after 8pm on Tuesday night (August 19). By 11.30pm nine fire engines were at the scene attempting to tackle the blaze and people were warned to avoid the area.
The cause of the fire has not been confirmed at this time. Fire crews remained at the scene on Wednesday morning as they continued to tackle the fire.
The building has been severely damaged, with the roof largely destroyed. The ECHO understands the building is in private ownership but has sat empty for around 20 years.
Liverpool City Council has now told the ECHO it will co-operate with an investigation led by the emergency services.
A spokesperson for the local authority said: “Following last night’s incident the council will now be fully co-operating with any investigation that will be led by Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service and Merseyside Police.”
In an initial statement yesterday evening, MFRS said: “Fire crews have been called to a fire at Woolton Hall, Speke Road, Woolton, Liverpool this evening.
The scene of a fire at Woolton Hall (Image: Photo by Iain Watts)
“Crews were alerted at 8.09pm and on scene at 8.16pm, with five fire engines and an aerial appliance in attendance.
“Crews arrived to find a three storey stone built building fully involved in fire around 40 by 30 metres in size. Water supplies have been established and Merseyside Police are on scene assisting with traffic management, the road has been closed in both directions.
“Please avoid the area. Residents nearby should keep doors and windows closed. If you have an existing medical condition, keep medicines nearby and dial NHS 111 if any ill effects are experienced.”
In an update at 11.30am today, the fire service said: “Firefighting activities have continued as previously. At 8.50am, one fire engine and the aerial appliance were released from scene. One main branch was in use in sector one.
“At 09.53am, crews closed off the main road, leaving access for local residents. Two fire engines remain at scene and the hose in sector one has been withdrawn due to safety concerns. Crews are continuing to monitor, hotspot, and damp down externally.”
Woolton Hall was built in 1704 and renovated later in the 18th century. It was saved from demolition and designated a Grade I listed building in 1982.
It was declared as being at “immediate risk of further rapid deterioration or loss of fabric” by Historic England in 2021, after being hit by a fire in 2019.