Arson probe launched after wall of flames tears through 500 sqm marshland site in Cheshire
Arson probe launched after wall of flames tears through 500 sqm marshland site in Cheshire, forcing emergency services to evacuate residents from their homes
Police have been advised a ‘wall of fire’ which yesterday broke out may been been started deliberately A huge fire yesterday broke out on large marshland site in The Wirral, some 10km from Liverpool city centreThe raging inferno is visible from Flint, in north Wales, and is suspected to have been started deliberatelyA fire investigator was called to the scene as the flames edged closer to homes, with scores being evacuated
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Emergency services say it is suspected a ‘wall of fire’ – which yesterday tore through marshland in Liverpool, forcing dozens of people to be evacuated from their homes – may have been started deliberately and police has been advised.
Video footage from the scene in Parkgate, in the Wirral, showed thick plumes of smoke bellowing into the air as the wind blew the flames closer to properties.
Firefighters are understood to still be on site although most of the fire seems to be extinguished.
The raging inferno was visible from Flint in North Wales and is now suspected to have been started deliberately. A fire investigator was called to the scene.
As of just before midnight on Saturday, one fire engine remained at the scene, Cheshire Fire & Rescue said, adding there were ‘only small areas of hot embers remaining’.
The statement added: ‘As the tide is coming in firefighters have withdrawn to a safe distance and are continuing to monitor the site for any potential flare ups.’
Crews are expected to stay at the scene into the early hours of the morning today, and people have been asked to steer clear of the area as police cordons remain, the Liverpool Echo reports.
Shocked onlookers record a huge wall of fire as it tears through marshland in The Wirral in Liverpool
Police evacuated homes near The Parade while firefighters work to protect buildings.
In video footage shared on Twitter, the blaze could be seen encroaching on someone’s back garden.
Firefighters were seen pumping out water onto the marshes on Saturday night in a bid to dampen the blaze’s ability to spread.
The area of Parkgate is on the River Dee and is adjacent to hundreds of square metres of marshland – which is home to nature reserve, sparking fears of a devastating ecological impact.
Eyewitness Peter Guy told the Liverpool Echo: ‘We’d just been eating a fish and chips enjoying the sunset when we turned around and saw a small fire about 300 yards away.
‘Within seconds it billowed into a huge wall of fire which ripped through the marshland – it was scary and spectacular all at the same time.
The fire is reported to be growing from two areas and is suspected to have been started deliberately
The area of Parkgate is on the River Dee and is adjacent to around 100sqkm of marshland – which is home to nature reserve, sparking fears of a devastating ecological impact.
Huge plumes of black smoke bellow into the sky in Parkgate, some 10km from Liverpool city centre
Police have already begun evacuating homes near The Parade while firefighters work to protect buildings. (Pictured: Two locals walking their dog watch on in horror)
In video footage shared on Twitter, the blaze can be seen encroaching on someone’s back garden (pictured)
The fire was still raging into Saturday night as it lit up the area of Parkgate
Police cordoned off a large area well away from the rapidly growing fire in the Wirral on Saturday night
‘I’m sure lots of wildlife will have been affected or destroyed.’
Members of the public are being urged to steer clear of the blaze while police have cordoned off a large.
Graeme Lea-Swain, from Neston, told MailOnline: ‘I watched the scene from Neston Cricket Club. There were towering flames and lots of thick black smoke that stretched all the way to the end of my road which is metres from the marshes, fortunately the wind which was fanning the flames was just off the line of residential housing.
‘Over six fire engines are currently dousing the fire. The marshes are currently tinder dry and basically straw after several weeks of dry weather. There was a similar incident three years ago. This is more dramatic.’
A police helicopter is assessing the magnitude of the flames, although residents reporting hearing multiple choppers in the air.
At least six fire engines were sent to the scene, including two from Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service.
The inferno already covers around 500 square metres but is believed to be spreading rapidly.
Locals fear the fire could have devastating ecological impact, given the marshland is home to an RSPB nature reserve.
It is home to thousands of wildfowl and wading birds in the winter.
