Firefighters suspect arsonists torched building in early hours (From St Helens Star)

Firefighters suspect arsonists torched building in early hours

11:23am Wednesday 2nd January 2013 in News

FIREFIGHTERS stationed on ladders battled a blaze that is believed to have been sparked by arsonists in the early hours of this morning.

Crews were called out to an outbuilding building, near a derelict retail unit on Liverpool Road, St Helens, shortly after 3am on Wednesday, January 2.

They had to remove roof tiles on the fire-hit building before tackling the flames because brickwork entrances were initially deemed unsafe.

They then took position on ladders and an aerial platform - used to help put out fires involving roofs and tall buildings - to fight the flames.

Relief crews were still damping down shortly before 8am this morning.

Watch Manager Jim Brammeier, who is based at St Helens Community Fire Station said he suspects the blaze was started deliberately.