Pictures sent to The ECHO show huge plumes of smoke being generated by the fire

A large fire is ripping through a scrapyard in Kirkdale with smoke from the blaze being seen for miles

Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service is currently at the scene of a huge scrapyard fire on Regent Road in Kirkdale. Pictures sent to The ECHO show huge plumes of smoke being generated by the fire.

Six fire engines are in attendance and it is believed Merseyside Police are also at the scene.

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There is some traffic build up around the scene of the Regent Road scrapyard fire.

The Kirkdale scrapyard fire can be seen from almost 20 miles away at Ashurst Beacon in Lancashire.

One of our reporters who lives in the Sefton area says he can smell the smoke from miles away.

The fire has now been burning for over two and a half hours.

The Svitzer Bidston tug boat was pictures assisting Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service engines on the ground to put out the blaze.

Svitzer Bidston is an 18-year-old Tug built in 2004 and is currently sailing under the flag of United Kingdom.

A spokesperson from Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service said:

Merseyside Fire & Rescue Service is currently in attendance at a fire in a derelict property on Irlam Road, Bootle. Crews were called shortly before 5pm. Two fire engines are in attendance as well as an aerial appliance.

On arrival crews found a two storey brick built building on fire. The first floor and roof space are involved in fire. Firefighters are tackling the fire externally using high pressure hose reel jets.

Merseyside Police have been requested to assist with traffic management. Please avoid the area.

Pictures sent to the ECHO show white smoke coming from a huge mountain of scrapmetal in the scrapyard on Regent Road.

A spokesperson from the fire service said:

Merseyside Fire & Rescue Service (MFRS) is currently in attendance at a fire in a scrapyard on Regent Road, Kirkdale.

Crews were alerted at 4.40pm and on scene at 4.44pm. Six fire engines are currently in attendance as well as the high volume pump.

On arrival crews found a large amount of scrap metal, approximately 30m x 20m in width and 30m high, involved in fire.

Fire crews are liaising with onsite staff and formulating a plan to tackle the fire.

Residents and businesses nearby should close windows and doors. If you have an existing medical condition, keep medicine close and if any ill effects are experienced dial NHS 111 for advice.

This is an ongoing incident. Please avoid the area."

Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service have told people living around Regent Road to close their windows and stay indoors.

A spokesperson said: "Residents and businesses nearby should close windows and doors. If you have an existing medical condition, keep medicine close and if any ill effects are experienced dial NHS 111 for advice.

"This is an ongoing incident. Please avoid the area."

Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service have confirmed a large amount of scrap metal is on fire. The fire is approximately 30m x 20m in width and 30m high.

Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service are currently working to put out two fires, one in Kirkdale and another behild Asda in Bootle.

Crews were called just before 5pm to a derelict property on Irlam Road, Bootle. Two fire engines are in attendance as well as an aerial appliance.

The fire service was called at 4.40pm and six engines arrived at the scene by 4.44pm. A high volume pump is also in use.

Images show huge plumes of smoke coming from the scrap metal fire. One person sent a picture from New Brighton beach.

Good afternoon, we'll bring you the latest updates as a fire has broken out at a scrapyard in Kirkdale.

Merseyside Fire & Rescue Service were called to the scrapyard on Regent Road at around 4.40pm on Thursday, May 19.