A Police investigation is now under way to determine the cause of a huge fire in Liverpool City Centre

A massive fire at an abandoned building within Liverpool's City Centre, on:- Saturday, 27 January 2024, pushed large plumes of smoke across the area and could be seen for miles around.

We are told that Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service (MFRS) were called to the large fire on:- Fox Street, Liverpool City Centre, L3, at:- 2.18pm, and on scene at:- 2.23pm. On arrival the crews found the 4 storey building, that is reported to be 100 metres x 50 metres, well alight, and by 4pm incident has been declared a major incident.

Merseyside Police helped MFRS with the evacuation of the surrounding building and a cordon was put in place, along with road closures on:- Great Homer Street, Fox Street, Rose Place, Great Richmond Street, Richmond Brow, Netherfield Road South, Everton Brow and Prince Edwin Street to allow emergency services to attend the scene.

By 5pm, the incident was no longer classed as a major incident and successful fire fighting tactics had extinguished the main body of fire. Then at around 6pm the incident was scaled down, with nearby residents being allowed to return to their homes.

By 8am, on Sunday, 28 January 2024, fire fighters had been reported to be checking for hot spots and the fire was considered out. At it's height 12 fire engines and 2 aerial appliances attended.

Thankfully there are no reports of any casualties and a Police investigation is now under way to determine the cause of this huge fire.

Since then reports that the stalled Liverpool development site was:- 'an accident waiting to happen' have been circulating. Also, Liverpool Council's Private Sector Housing Team has been out visiting neighbouring properties surrounding the development for damage and have spoken to residents to see what is required to help them following the incident.

Photographs are with thanks to X (formerly Twitter) user CollyRetro who has also took some video footage.

Christ The King Catholic High School in Southport:- 'incredibly proud' of Good Ofsted rating

CHRIST The King Catholic High School and 6th Form Centre in Southport is celebrating being recognised as a:- 'Good' School by Ofsted inspectors. The School, on Stamford Road in Birkdale, was also found to be:- 'Good' across the board, in all 4 main judgments-: Quality of Education, Behaviour and Attitudes, Personal Development; and Leadership and Management.

Christ The King Headteacher Mrs Erin Wheeler said:- "we are incredibly proud of this" as she thanked her colleagues, Governors, parents and pupils for their part in the School's ongoing success. Ofsted inspectors, who carried out the inspection in November, praised the School for teaching and mentoring pupils and 6th Form students to "be the best version of themselves."

Mrs Erin Wheeler said:- "I want to thank our parents, our children, Governors and all of the staff at Christ the King for working together as a team resulting in this significant achievement. The report highlights the significant work that has taken place to improve the School since the last inspection, we are incredibly proud of this! The opening lines in the Ofsted report sum up what we are as a School and what we have worked incredibly hard to achieve…'Pupils feel happy, safe and valued at this welcoming School. They enjoy a calm and respectful environment that helps them to study and learn. Pupils and staff are immensely proud of the improvements made to the School in recent years.' We are proud that our pupils and 6th Form students are taught to:- 'be the best version of themselves' through positive attitudes towards their learning and their behaviour.' Ofsted also recognised our wide and varied extra curricular offer:- 'Pupils appreciate the vast array of extra-curricular activities on offer to them. They relish experiences that help them to nurture their wider talents and develop their leadership skills. Pupils know that their opinions matter. They said that they feel listened to by staff.' We are delighted with the feedback regarding how inclusive we are as a School... 'The School promptly identifies pupils with SEND... teachers adapt the delivery of the curriculum to enable these pupils to access it successfully… Pupils with SEND, and those who are disadvantaged, are included in all aspects of School life.' Our pupils and 6th Form students are:- 'well prepared for their next steps in education, training or employment' and that the nurturing and personal development our pupils receive from the moment they are placed with us in Year 6 through to the day they leave us in Year 13 enables 6th Form students to become:- 'excellent role models for the rest of the School.' Staff and Governors are proud to be part of this School community and this was recognised throughout the inspection:- 'Governors know the School extremely well. They support and challenge leaders during meetings and when visiting the School. At all levels, leaders actively look for areas that they can further improve. This ensures that there is a clear, consistent focus on strengthening the School's quality of education for all pupils.' Staff are proud members of the School community. They work hard and feel valued. The School engages with staff well to reduce their workload while encouraging them to contribute new ideas to make the scchool a better place for pupils."

For more details about Christ the King High School in Southport please visit:- ChristTheKing-School.Com.