Firefighters Battle Massive Blaze at Derelict School

Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service are currently at the incident A derelict school has gone up in flames. Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service were called to reports of a fire at a derelict school on Winwick Road in Newton-le-Willows shortly before 7pm on Sunday, January 18. Pictures of the scene taken by eyewitnesses showed plumes of smoke above trees and several fire engines at the scene. In a statement, a spokesperson for the fire service said: "Crews were alerted at 6.59pm and on scene at 7.07pm, with three fire engines and an aerial appliance in attendance. "Crews arrived to find a two storey brick built building involved in fire. Water supplies were established and surrounding buildings were checked to ensure fire had not spread, while firefighters began to fight the fire with hose reel jets and main branch hoses. "The incident is ongoing." People living in the area said they have been told by firefighters to keep their windows and doors closed as crews tackle the blaze. For the latest news and breaking news visit liverpoolecho.co.uk/news Get all the big headlines, pictures, analysis, opinion and video on the stories that matter to you by signing up to our daily and breaking newsletter. Sign up to our breaking news newsletter here. Follow us on Twitter @LivECHONews - the official Liverpool ECHO Twitter account - real news in real time.