A huge fire has engulfed a town hall in Merseyside with smoke seen for miles.
Dramatic pictures show Maghull Town Hall ablaze, as fire crews from across Merseyside are at the scene.
The fire started at approximately 11:55am with as many as 10 fire engines racing to battle flames shortly after.
Members of the public have been told to avoid the area while emergency services work to put the fire out.
A bystander reported witnessing the event, sharing on X: “Just drove past The Meadows and Maghull Town Hall is on fire. Police stopping the traffic. Maghull is at a standstill.”
Official comments from Merseyside Fire and Rescue told Liverpool Echo: “Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service are in attendance at an incident on Hall Lane, Maghull. Crews were alerted at 11.55 and on scene at 12.09, with ten fire engines and two aerial appliances at scene.”
They added: “This is the roof space to a three storey building Maghull Town Hall, well alight. The incident has been sectorised with firefighters with two main branches fighting the blaze externally in sectors one and two.
“Water supplies have been secured and the aerial appliance is being set up in sector three. Merseyside Police are also in attendance maintaining cordons. This is an ongoing incident, please avoid the area.”