Black smoke seen rising over St Helens as fire breaks out

Residents reported hearing explosions in the Ravenhead area today, Friday August 21, with reports of multiple loud bangs and rising smoke at Stafford Road.

Smoke could be seen rising into the sky (Image: Public)

The smoke could be seen earlier today from St Helens town centre.

Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service confirmed it had attended a site on Stafford Road shortly after 12.30pm.

Crews said they found a fire in the open air involving a steel-framed structure above a cullet cooling water system.

The fire was caused by welding repairs to the structure this morning.

Firefighters used two hose reels and one main branch to extinguish the fire.

Smoke could be seen rising into the sky (Image: Public)

Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service (MFRS) attended the incident on Stafford Road earlier today.

A Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service spokesman said: "Crews were alerted at 12.34pm and arrived on scene at 12.40pm, with three fire engines attending.

"On arrival this was a fire in the open air involving a steel framed structure above a cullet cooling water system.

"The fire was caused by welding repairs to the structure this morning.

"Firefighters used two hose reels and one main branch to extinguish the fire."

He added: "MFRS crews continue to liaise with onsite staff, monitor temperatures and hot spot the affected area.

"Fire service attendance at this incident was scaled down before personnel left the scene at 1.33pm."