A major incident was declared on Saturday after a large fire broke out in a building in Liverpool city centre.

The fire service said neighbouring properties had been evacuated as the building was in danger of collapsing.

Firefighters were called to the blaze on Fox Street shortly before 2.20pm on Saturday and arrived to find a four-storey building “well alight”.

By 5pm, it was no longer classed as a major incident and the main body of the fire had been extinguished.

“Successful firefighting tactics have resulted in the fire being greatly reduced,” Merseyside fire and rescue service said.

Shoppers watched plumes spread across the city centre and the smoke could be seen rising above Goodison Park during Everton’s FA Cup tie against Luton Town.

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Lara Buchanan, a trainee teacher from Liverpool, was driving through Kingsway Tunnel from the Wirral when she noticed a “dark rolling cloud” of smoke.

She said she could “feel the heat” of the blaze from her car and was shocked when she saw the extent of the fire.

Buchanan, 23, told the PA news agency: “I could see the fire before entering the tunnel but didn’t know where it was coming from. As I came out of the tunnel into Liverpool, the sky was dark and all I could see was a black rolling cloud.

“The building was blazing alight and I could feel the heat from the car driving past. I was shocked to see the cloud and scared for whoever may be affected.”

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The fire service urged people to avoid the area and nearby residents and businesses to close windows and doors.

Merseyside fire and rescue service had earlier declared a major incident and divided the fire into four sectors.

A statement on its website read: “Fire crews have been called to a large fire on Fox Street, Liverpool city centre, L3.

“Twelve fire engines and two aerial appliances are in attendance. Crews were alerted at 2.18pm and on scene at 2.23pm. Crews arrived to find a four-storey building 100 metres by 50 metres well alight.

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“The incident has been divided into sectors, with firefighters wearing breathing apparatus fighting the fire with main branch hoses. The building is showing signs of collapse and fire crews are evacuating buildings.

“The incident is ongoing. Please avoid the area. Residents and businesses nearby should close windows and doors. If you have an existing health condition, keep medicines nearby and if any ill effects occur dial NHS 111 for advice.”

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