Emergency Services Attend Vehicle Fire at the Traffic Lights on Altcar Road, Outside Tesco Formby

UPDATE AT 1pm:

Van now cleared away and road all clear.

ORIGINAL:

Emergency services are currently dealing with a serious vehicle fire at the traffic lights on Altcar Road, directly outside Tesco Formby. This happened today, Sunday 16th November at around 11:15am.

The incident involved a van that caught fire and subsequently exploded near the Tesco petrol station, sending thick black smoke into the air.

Merseyside Police have closed the road in both directions, and fire crews have temporarily blocked access to Tesco while they make the area safe. The fire has now been brought under control.

The man and woman who were inside the van managed to escape safely before the explosion.

Drivers are being urged to avoid the area and use alternative routes until the scene is fully cleared and the road can be reopened.

Further updates will follow as more information becomes available.