One Male and Ten horses now confirmed Dead in Shorrocks Hill Tragedy
Update:
Investigators at the scene can now confirm that the deceased man was found in the stables, not a caravan as first stated. It has also been confirmed that ten horses were also killed in the blaze.
Merseyside Police are classing this as a critical incident and the site is now a crime scene.
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Original Story
The body of a man has been found inside a caravan that was destroyed in a fire at Shorrocks Hill this morning. Horses were also killed in the fire.
Merseyside Police can confirm officers attended a fire in Formby along with colleagues from Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service this morning (Thursday, 25 August 2016). Emergency services were called to Shorrocks Hill Country Club, Lifeboat Road to reports of a fire at stables at about 5.40am. The fire, which has been extinguished by Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service, completely destroyed the stable building and a caravan. On arrival firefighters entered the caravan and found the body of a man inside. Formal identification is yet to take place. A number of horses were found to have died in the stables. The cause of the man’s death is not yet known and a joint Merseyside Police and Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service investigation into the cause of the fire is underway. The scene has been cordoned off for examination and house-to-house enquiries are underway. No-one else has been reported injured. Anyone with information is asked to contact Merseyside Police on 0151 777 3055 or on the 101 number. Alternatively, contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
Three Fire appliances, three Police vans and numerous Police cars were all in attendance at the scene.
It is not known at this point what the cause of the fire was but one onlooker said there were small explosions. The stable block is completely destroyed.
Scene of the fire just after it had been distinguished
Photo by Adam Lynch
The fire could be seen from all over Formby before 6am this morning
Photo by Kayla Boden