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Liverpool's Littlewoods Pools building engulfed by fire Liverpool's Littlewoods Pools building engulfed by fire
(about 1 hour later)
A huge blaze has destroyed part of the Littlewoods Pools building, one of Liverpool's most famous landmarks.A huge blaze has destroyed part of the Littlewoods Pools building, one of Liverpool's most famous landmarks.
The roof and upper floor of one wing of the "iconic" structure were feared to have been lost after the fire took hold shortly before 20:00 BST on Sunday.The roof and upper floor of one wing of the "iconic" structure were feared to have been lost after the fire took hold shortly before 20:00 BST on Sunday.
Merseyside Fire Service said there had been no injuries and there were no concerns over the building's integrity.Merseyside Fire Service said there had been no injuries and there were no concerns over the building's integrity.
Crews are still tackling the blaze at the art deco structure on Edge Lane which has been empty since 2003. The fire is under control and crews are damping down at the art deco structure, which has been empty since 2003.
Just over 12 weeks ago plans were announced for a major new complex at the five-storey site, including film and TV studios - although the part of the building earmarked for the studios was unaffected by the fire. Just over 12 weeks ago plans were announced for a major new complex at the five-storey site on Edge Lane , including film and TV studios - although the part of the building earmarked for the studios was unaffected by the fire.
The deal, signed with developer Capital & Centric, intends to create a £50m northern base for Twickenham Studios, with the creation of hundreds of jobs.The deal, signed with developer Capital & Centric, intends to create a £50m northern base for Twickenham Studios, with the creation of hundreds of jobs.
Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service said crews had created high-level openings in wooden panelling to access the fire on the upper floors and are also fighting the fire internally from a protected area. Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service said crews had created high-level openings in wooden panelling to access the fire on the upper floors.
It said an audit of the area is taking place to allow vehicle access for local businesses. Group manager Gary Oakford said crews were hoping to get access to the inside of the building on Monday morning.
"The incident is under control now and we will be here for several more hours damping down and hotspotting throughout the building," he added.
As well as ensuring all pockets of fire are out, he said crews will work with local building authorities to make sure the building is structurally sound and assess the extent of the damage.
Merseyside Police have re-opened the Liverpool bound carriageway of Edge Lane.Merseyside Police have re-opened the Liverpool bound carriageway of Edge Lane.
Liverpool Mayor Joe Anderson tweeted: "Absolutely heartbreaking news that the iconic Littlewoods Building is ablaze, looks pretty bad at this stage, let's hope and pray it's salvageable."Liverpool Mayor Joe Anderson tweeted: "Absolutely heartbreaking news that the iconic Littlewoods Building is ablaze, looks pretty bad at this stage, let's hope and pray it's salvageable."
Adam Higgins, co-founder of developers Capital & Centric, said the blaze had started in the roof of the west wing, which is known for its distinctive clock tower.Adam Higgins, co-founder of developers Capital & Centric, said the blaze had started in the roof of the west wing, which is known for its distinctive clock tower.
"So far all the walls remain intact and obviously they are the bits that are really iconic to people from the city," he added. "The building's hugely important to us and to everyone in Liverpool. So far all the walls remain intact and obviously they are the bits that are really iconic to people from the city," he added.
"The building's hugely important to us and to everyone in Liverpool. We announced some big plans about three months ago which would bring in Twickenham film studios to the city and to this building in particular. "We announced some big plans about three months ago which would bring in Twickenham film studios to the city and to this building in particular.
"I'm very hopeful that we still will be able to do that because the walls still seem to be intact and, providing we can keep them up, we can still very much continue with our plans. "I'm very hopeful that we still will be able to do that because the walls still seem to be intact and, providing we can keep them up, we can still very much continue with our plans."
"Twickenham are going into the east wing, the building next door, and other companies will be moving into the west wing which has been on fire."
Mr Higgins said investigators had been unable to enter the building due to the collapse and the cause of the blaze was unknown.Mr Higgins said investigators had been unable to enter the building due to the collapse and the cause of the blaze was unknown.
The fire service said it was called at 19:52 BST and was on the scene within four minutes, but firefighters were confronted with a "significant" blaze across an area measuring 200m by 100m.The fire service said it was called at 19:52 BST and was on the scene within four minutes, but firefighters were confronted with a "significant" blaze across an area measuring 200m by 100m.
It was brought under control by 01:30 as crews managed to prevent the spread of the fire beyond the one wing.It was brought under control by 01:30 as crews managed to prevent the spread of the fire beyond the one wing.
The building was part of Sir John Moores' Littlewoods empire, which included the weekly football pools coupons played by millions, as well as the high street stores around the country.The building was part of Sir John Moores' Littlewoods empire, which included the weekly football pools coupons played by millions, as well as the high street stores around the country.
A number of redevelopment plans had been discussed for the site in recent years but had fallen through.A number of redevelopment plans had been discussed for the site in recent years but had fallen through.
A celebration marking 95 years of Littlewoods is still going ahead on Monday evening, its organiser Malcolm Spargo said.A celebration marking 95 years of Littlewoods is still going ahead on Monday evening, its organiser Malcolm Spargo said.
The former catering boss said the fire at the former Pools arm of the business was "dreadful news", describing the structure as the firm's "jewel in the crown".The former catering boss said the fire at the former Pools arm of the business was "dreadful news", describing the structure as the firm's "jewel in the crown".
Mr Spargo said Capital & Centric are due to exhibit its plans for Twickenham Studios this evening at the event at Liverpool Anglican Cathedral.Mr Spargo said Capital & Centric are due to exhibit its plans for Twickenham Studios this evening at the event at Liverpool Anglican Cathedral.