Bootle fire - live: Massive blaze rips through Merseyside garage as smoke seen for miles

Bootle fire - live: Massive blaze rips through Merseyside garage as smoke seen for miles Firefighters have rushed to Fast Fit Garage on Fernhill Road, Bootle, where a massive fire appears to have completely gutted the building A huge blaze has erupted in Bootle with flames tearing through a garage and smoke seen for miles. Multiple fire crews are at the scene at a garage in the Merseyside town. One person living nearby said they had heard "loud bangs like fireworks going off" and there was a "massive smoke plume". A large crowd has gathered near the incident, which appears to have fully gutted the building. This is despite Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service urging people to stay away from the area. A cordon is in place as the fire continues to rage and smoke has filled the night sky. Key Events Homes evacuated The Liverpool Echo reports homes on nearby Timon Avenue have now been evacuated due to the fire on Fernhill Road. People told to keep doors and windows shut and to avoid area Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service has asked people to keep their doors and windows closed as the fire in Bootle remains ongoing. A statement from the fire service reads: "A multi agency meeting has taken between Fire, Police, and North West Ambulance Service. "Local residents should keep doors and windows closed. "Anyone with an existing health condition should keep medication close and if any ill effects are experienced dial NHS 111 for advice. "The incident is ongoing, please avoid the area." Eight fire engines on scene A statement from Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service reads: "Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service (MFRS) is currently in attendance at an incident on Fernhill Road, Aintree, on the evening of Tuesday 29 September. "Crews were alerted at 8.23pm and arrived on scene shortly after, with eight fire engines and one aerial appliance attending. "This is in response to a building fire, crews established water supplies and this incident has been sectorised. "Sector one has two main branches and one hose reel jet in use with two firefighters wearing breathing apparatus (BA). "Sector two consists of one main branch, while sector three has two main branches in operation. "The aerial appliance is being set up for use." 'Loud bangs like fireworks' One witness of the fire in Liverpool tonight has described hearing "loud bangs like fireworks" as the fire started. They then said a large plume of smoke started rising from the site. Good evening Good evening and thank you for joining our live coverage of this incident. We will be bringing you updates as soon as we get them.