Huge fire causes chaos for Wirral's commuters

A massive fire overnight in Birkenhead caused traffic chaos for Wirral's commuters on Tuesday morning.

Fire crews were called to the blaze on New Chester Road, next to Cammell Lairds, at around 10:30pm

Flames leapt 30 feet in the air and loud explosions could be heard in the area.

At the height of the incident, up to 80 firefighters were at the scene across three buildings which contained machinery and hire equipment.

Assistant Chief Fire Officer Bill Evans said: “Our initial crews attended a complex of buildings heavily involved in fire and they worked quickly to prevent it spreading off site – in particular the first crews in attendance did a fantastic job in preventing it affecting a compressed gas storage site adjacent.

Area Manager Dan Stephens said: “The incident involved a brick and steel construction unit which housed three sub station units, one of which contained a large number of televisions which were recycled so it was a very heavy fire loading, which gave rise to an intense and large fire.

Residents are being advised to keep doors and windows closed due to the smoke.

New Chester Road going out of Birkenhead could be closed for the next few days.

Our reporter Andy Downton spoke to the fire officer in-charge James Berry:

A listener sent us this video of the explosion: