Children escape building fire as emergency services rush to scene
Detectives are appealing for information after 10 children escaped from a fire at a former secure psychiatric unit. At 8.05pm this evening (May 17), emergency services were called to reports of a fire at the derelict gym on the Scott Clinic site on Rainhill Road, Rainhill.
Officers from Merseyside Police, Mersey Fire and Rescue Service and North West Ambulance Service attended the fire and on arrival discovered that the 10 children, between the ages of 12 and 13, who had been inside the building when the fire had started, had managed to get out safely.
Fortunately no-one needed medical attention.
READ MORE: Rainhill fire live updates as huge cloud of smoke fills sky
READ MORE: Baby given weeks to live after what nursery worker spotted
Firefighters are still at the scene dealing with the blaze, which has been assessed as deliberate. Significant damage has been caused to the building.
Police say that CCTV and other enquiries have been ongoing and detectives are now further appealing for any witnesses to come forward.
Detective Inspector Tony Meakins said: 'The investigation is still in its early stages and it is fortunate that the children, who were inside the building when the fire took hold, managed to escape with no injuries.
"The incident is being treated as arson and enquiries are underway to establish how the fire was started and who was responsible.
"We are appealing to anyone who may have information in relation to the incident to contact us."
Rainhill Road at the junction with Nutgrove Road has been closed and motorists are advised to avoid the area, the closure is likely to be in place for a number of hours.
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