Fire crews have been called to a fire at Aintree University Hospital, Longmoor Lane, Aintree this morning. Crews were alerted at 4.34am and on scene at 4.40am.

Merseyside Fire and Rescue said crews found that a plant building on the roof of a three-storey building next to Accident & Emergency was involved in a fire. Firefighters wearing breathing apparatus were deployed to prevent escalation while liaising with staff to evacuate patients from the areas near to the fire.

Power was isolated to the electrical unit and firefighters wearing breathing apparatus are fighting the fire with high pressure hose reels and CO2 extinguishers.

Patients were evacuated from the first and second floors with no reports of any casualties.

As of 8am, the number of fire engines on scene rose from six to eight as more than 30 firefighters continued to suppress the fire in a rooftop plant room.

 Police cordons are in place around the area of the incident.