Fire crews tackle grass fire behind Range High School as residents urged to take extra care

Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service is currently at the scene of a grass fire behind Range High School in Formby after the blaze broke out this evening.

A resident contacted Formby Bubble to say her husband raised the alarm after discovering the fire in the grassland at the end of the lane. While waiting for firefighters to arrive, he and another passer by tried to stop the flames spreading by beating out the fire.

She said the blaze spread “at an alarming rate” due to the extremely dry conditions.

Firefighters are now on scene dealing with the incident.

With the recent spell of warm, dry weather, grass, undergrowth and woodland can ignite very quickly, and even a small flame or discarded cigarette can rapidly develop into a much larger fire.

Fire safety reminder:

• Never discard cigarettes or matches onto dry grass or vegetation.

• Do not leave disposable barbecues or campfires unattended, and ensure they are fully extinguished before leaving.

• Take all litter home, especially glass bottles, which can contribute to fires in hot weather.

• If you spot a fire, move to a safe location and call 999 immediately. Do not attempt to tackle a fire yourself unless it is very small and you can do so safely.

If you’re in the area, please avoid the scene while emergency services deal with the incident. We will provide an update if any further information becomes available.