Fire at a barn in Great Altcar and smoke seen across Formby

Firefighters were called to a fire that was originally reported to have been at St Michaels Church on Lord Sefton Way in Great Altcar but turned out to be a barn close by.

Firefighters remain in attendance (at 3.45pm) at a fire involving bales of hay on fire in a barn. The initial response was four fire engines and crews (two from Ormskirk and Skelmersale and two from Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service) and relief crews are expected to be assigned for a while longer yet.

Firefighters have been using two main jets to extinguish the fire and a mechanical digger has been in use to remove bales to expose smouldering material still to be extinguished, which is what takes time to complete.

There have been no casualties and the cause of the fire is to be established.

Comments on our Facebook page, Sue Catterall said: "The fire is under control.. fire crews have been here about 5 hours and will be here through to the late hours to make it safe.. but it is under control."

Other eyewitnesses said it has been burning since 11am this morning.