No investigation yet into fire
A FIRE that led to a main road shutting for hours is yet to be investigated more than two months later.
Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service were called to a derelict nursery on the corner of Scarisbrick New Road and Chambres Road in Southport on Thursday, January 19, at around 5.21pm after reports of a blaze.
Three fire engines were on the scene along with an aerial appliance, with Merseyside Police shutting a portion of Scarisbrick New Road.
The building was found to have a fire on the second floor and on the roof of the property.
It wasn’t until almost five hours later that MFRS crews were able to leave the scene, with the last of the firefighters leaving at around 10.16pm.
In the days that followed the fire, the service confirmed that due to the grounds of the property being deemed unsafe, it was unable to investigate the cause of the incident.
Now, more than two months later, MFRS has confirmed that an investigation into the fire is yet to get underway for that reason.
A spokesperson said on February 9: “It has not been possible to carry out a full investigation into the cause of the fire due to the stability and integrity of the building.”
The service confirmed last week that the situation has not changed.
Just across the road is Alan, a neighbour who has lived in his home on Chambres Road for 20 years. Speaking the day after the blaze he said: “I saw the blue lights outside and came out.
“I undid the gate for the emergency services because they were trying to get in the other side. The way that people get into the building is over the wall because it’s not secure at all.
“The most worrying aspect is that it’s already an incredibly dangerous building.
“They’re risking their lives and emergency service workers’ lives. Last night the front wall fell down this way but if it had been the back of it it could have hit the building next to it.”
The three-storey building is believed to have been left empty for years despite a planning application being approved to turn it into flats.