FIREFIGHTERS tackling a fierce factory fire are expected to be on site for the next six hours.

More than 1,000 tonnes of soil in plastic bags, which were stored on wooden pallets, went up in flames at the single storey building on Station Road, Sutton at around 8am.

Initially six fire engines and an aerial appliance were called out to the incident.
This has been reduced to three, which remain on site, and crews now have the fire under control.

Firefighters are currently removing damaged material from the building and damping down in the yard of the site.

This is expected to continue until around 9pm tonight.  The cause of the fire is being investigated.

Merseyside Fire and Rescue Station Manager Chris Head said: "We have three fire appliances still on scene.

"The fire is under control and crews are currently working to remove affected pallets and damping down where necessary.

"At the moment it is estimated that we will be on site for the next six hours."

Merseyside Police, the Environment Agency and St Helens Council are also on site.

If you live close by and have any photographs of the blaze email steve.leary@sthelensstar.co.uk