Location: Kirkby
Fire crews have been called to a fire at St. Mark's Church, Brook Hey Drive, Kirkby this evening.
Crews were on scene at 5.31pm, with 6 fire engines and an aerial appliance in attendance.
Firefighters arrived to find the first floor and roof space of a 2 storey youth centre at the church well alight with an area of approximately 20 metres by 40 metres involved.
The incident has been divided into sectors, with main jets and high pressure hose reels involved in fighting the fire. The aerial appliance is also being set up to tackle the fire from height- all firefighting is being carried out externally at this point.
Water supplies have been secured and a multi-agency meeting has taken place. Merseyside Police are in attendance.
Local residents should stay inside and close windows and doors. If you have a pre-existing medical condition, keep medicines and treatment close and if any ill effects are experienced dial NHS 111 for advice.
Firefighters are making good progress in bringing the fire under control but the incident is ongoing.
INCIDENT UPDATE 7.50PM
Firefighters have made good progress and the fire has been extinguished in two out of the four sectors established. The part of the roof still involved in fire will be targeted by the aerial appliance and the remaining outbuildings will continue to be damped down. The incident continues.