Flames reaching 40ft tear through historic Grade I listed Woolton Hall in Liverpool

Firefighters are battling to save one of Liverpool’s oldest buildings – Woolton Hall.

Huge 40-metre high flames are ripping through the Grade I listed building after it ignited at 8pm on Tuesday.

It is unclear if there have been any injuries but the building has been vacant for two decades.

Firefighters are trying to prevent the flames from spreading to other buildings.

Jonathon Wild has been trying to save the historic building from ruin.

He told the Liverpool Echo: ‘This is the same as Liverpool Cathedral going on fire.

‘I am absolutely devastated that this has happened and I ask that the powers that be hold a full investigation into this fire and the outcome is that this building is somehow rebuilt.’

Luke David, 37, a photographer from Staffordshire who explores abandoned buildings, told Metro: ‘As a lover of history and historic buildings it breaks my heart. I’ve not been inside the building, but I’ve been up front close to it.

‘As an urban explorer I like to take pictures of what once was. At the time I went to explore the building it was all sealed up and rightly so.

‘Any abandoned buildings that are sealed should be left, especially old historical buildings like Woolton hall.

‘I would have loved to see what’s inside, but only saw pictures from other explorers who were lucky enough to see it before it was completely closed.’

A Merseyside Fire and Rescue service spokesman said: ‘Crews arrived to find a three-storey stone-built building fully involved in fire around 40 by 30 metres in size.’

They added: ‘The building, measuring 100 by 100 metres in size is well alight and the roof has collapsed.

‘The incident has been divided into sectors and an MFRS service drone has been deployed to gain situational awareness from height.

‘The aerial appliance is in use suppressing the fire and efforts are being made to protect an adjacent building from becoming involved in the fire.

‘Water supplies have been established and Merseyside Police are on scene assisting with traffic management, the road has been closed in both directions.’

The force urged residents to avoid the area.

They added: ‘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.’

Built in 1704, the historic hall has been in a neglected condition and vandalised lying vacant since 2003.

Woolton Hall has been a stately home, an art collector’s mansion, a luxury spa hotel, a wartime hospital and a school.

The owners had plans to use the building as the focus of a retirement village but their proposals have failed to get financial support.

Historic England said it was hoped that a new scheme for re-use would be made before this fire.