Fire at former nhs building was 'started deliberately'

A JOINT INVESTIGATION IS UNDERWAY 13:11, 21 May 2025 A fire started at a former NHS building is believed to be arson. A fire broke out at the former Thorn Heys NHS building on Colombia Road

in Oxton, Wirrial shortly before 3pm on Sunday, May 18. When crews from Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service arrived, they found a one storey building on fire. Due to the severity of the

blaze, crews fought the fire externally at first, using two main jets and one hose reel jet. Four fire engines and an aerial appliance were in attendance. In an update issued today,

Merseyside Police confirmed the force is now investigating suspected arson, with officers believing the fire was started deliberately. Detective Inspector Phil Ryan said: "This was an

extremely reckless act which, like any such incident, had the potential to cause serious harm to anyone in the vicinity."If you live in the area or were passing by shortly before 3pm,

please check CCTV, dashcam and doorbell footage, in the event that you have captured vital information. We are determined to find those responsible and put them before the courts." A

spokesperson for Cheshire and Wirral Partnership NHS Foundation Trust (CWP): “We’re working closely with Merseyside Fire and Rescue Services following a fire at one of our Trust sites in

Oxton, Wirral. "The premises was vacant at the time of the incident, and no-one was injured however, the building has sustained considerable damage. No patient or staff services

currently operate from this location and all CWP services are running normally. "We remain thankful for the swift and rapid action of the emergency services and our own estates team in

safely securing the site.” MFRS said in a previous statement: "Crews returned to the premises at 21.20 on the evening of Sunday 18th May. Firefighters investigated a small amount of

smoke coming from the rear of the property and utilised one hose reel jet. "After monitoring temperatures and completing a full 360 survey of the building, crews left scene at

22.01." Please contact Merseyside Police social media desk via @MerPolCC on X or ‘Merseyside Police Contact Centre’ on Facebook. You can also report information via the force's

website or call 101 quoting incident reference 25000410573.Alternatively, contact the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111, or via their website here:

https://crimestoppers-uk.org/give-information/forms/give-information-anonymously. In an emergency always call 999. For the latest news and breaking news visit

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