FIREFIGHTERS have been called out after a blaze broke out in a flat above a shop this afternoon, Monday.
Seven fire engines rushed to the scene at around 1pm, with cordons in place on Thatto Heath Road emergency services tackle the flames.
A first floor flat above a row of shops was "well alight" as crews arrived.
The fire was within the roof space of four brick built terraced properties, the fire service said.
Smoke could be seen emitting from the properties.
In an update shortly after 5pm, the fire and rescue service said the incident had been "scaled down" but works at the scene remain ongoing.
A crane could be seen this afternoon being used as crews cracked open the roof in their efforts to tackle the fire.
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A Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service spokesman said earlier today: "Fire crews have been called to a flat fire on Stevens Street, Scholes Lane, Thatto Heath, St Helens this afternoon.
"Crews were alerted at 12.59pm and on scene at 1.04pm, with seven fire engines and an aerial appliance currently in attendance.
"Crews arrived to find a first floor flat above a row of shops well alight. The fire is within the roof space of four brick built terraced properties at the incident site."
He added: "The incident is being sectorised and four firefighters wearing breathing apparatus have been committed to firefighting with two hose reel jets. Merseyside Police and North West ambulance are in attendance, with Police managing traffic.
"Motorists and pedestrians should avoid the area and residents and businesses nearby should close windows and doors. If you have an existing health condition please keep medicine and treatments nearby and if any ill effects are experienced ring NHS 111 for advice.
"The incident is ongoing."
In an update issued shortly after 5pm, he added: "The incident has scaled down significantly with one fire engine and an aerial appliance remaining in attendance.
"All persons are accounted for and firefighters are dealing with hotspots and damping down in the roof space from the aerial appliance, monitoring temperatures with a thermal imaging camera.
"Most road closures have now been lifted but a cordon remains in case of falling debris."
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