Thornton Manor fire - eight appliances and crews tackle blaze in Grade II listed building

Firefighters were called to Thornton Manor in Thornton Hough at around 9pm yesterday evening and tackled a blaze throughout the night.

Merseyside Fire and Rescue said four fire engines and an aerial appliance were on scene shortly after they were called out a little after nine.

The fire was ultimately divided into three sectors, and among those tackling it were six firefighters wearing breathing apparatus.

"This is a three storey premises," said the Service, "with two seats of fire involving the boiler - this was extinguished prior to Fire Service attendance.

"However, following further inspection of the premises, fire spread was detected in the roof space."

A drone was deployed to assess the situation and, in all, eight appliances were called to the scene.

At 1pm today the incident was described as ongoing, with one appliance facilitating the stripping of roof tiles and dampening down any hotspots.

Thornton Manor had been evacuated swiftly and everyone accounted for.

The fire is another setback for Thornton Holdings, the company which operates Thornton Manor and its surrounding estate.

In January, after a long period of legal wrangling, it was told by the UK Planning Inspectorate that it would have to remove its three popular events marquees, one of which has been standing for more than a decade.

Thornton Holdings warned that the loss of the marquees would mean the end of the business and job losses, and that the Manor and land would have to be sold off.