Four people dead in house fire: Tragedy after blaze tore through property in early hours

See more Daily Mail on Google - save us as a Preferred Source Published: 09:37 EDT, 22 September 2026 | Updated: 09:50 EDT, 22 September 2026 Four people have died after a fire tore through a home in Merseyside during the early hours of this morning. Six fire engines and eight firefighters scrambled to the scene of an 'intense fire which was spreading rapidly' at a semi-detached property in Bootle at 3.38am.Crew members wearing breathing apparatus rushed inside, where they found four people 'showing no signs of life'. All four of the casualties have tragically died, the fire service confirmed this afternoon. Another person who was discovered outside the home was rushed to hospital by the North West Ambulance Service. Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service and Merseyside Police have now launched an investigation to establish the cause of the inferno. A large police presence remains at the scene after firefighters dampened the area earlier today. A cordon also remains in place. One neighbour, who witnessed the blaze but preferred not to be named, said: 'We all came out on the front and we could see smoke coming over from the houses. The sirens woke me up and there were fire engines in the street.'Another woman said: 'I heard shouting in the early hours but I just thought someone was having an argument, then I came downstairs and saw all the fire engines.' A huge inferno was seen at the semi detatched house in Bootle, Merseyside after emergency services were alerted at 3:38am this morningMerseyside Fire and Rescue Service Area Manager Kevin Longshaw said: 'This is a devastating incident, and our thoughts are very much with the family and friends of those who have lost their lives and been injured.'We will work closely with relevant colleagues to ascertain the cause of the fire, but in the immediate term, we again extend our sincere condolences to those affected by this tragic incident.'A statement from Merseyside Fire and Rescue service this morning said: 'Fire crews have been called to a serious house fire at Stone Square, Bootle, this morning. 'Crews were alerted at 3.38am and on scene at 3.45am, with six fire engines on scene at the height of the fire. Firefighters arrived to find a semi-detached house well alight.'Eight firefighters wearing breathing apparatus entered the house to search the property for occupants and fight the fire with hose reel jets.'A casualty at the scene was taken into the care of North West Ambulance Service for treatment for burns as a search of the property and firefighting continued.'Two members of the North West Ambulance Service Hazardous Area Response Team were also committed to the property with firefighters.'The main fire has been extinguished with fire crews damping down the area. Two fire engines remain at the scene.'Merseyside Police are also on scene. An investigation is taking place.'