Road remains closed after 'beautiful' building goes up in flames

A road remains closed after a "beautiful" building went up in flames. Emergency services were called to a fire at the building located at the corner of Albert Road and Park Road West in Southport during the early hours of Saturday, November 16.

Merseyside Fire & Rescue Service (MFRS) arrived on the scene at 2.46am to find the derelict Hesketh Centre - a former NHS healthcare centre - with its upper floor and roof engulfed in flames. People living nearby were told to keep their windows and doors shut while the fire was tackled.

Albert Road remains closed in both directions today, Monday, November 18. Sefton Council confirmed the closure and said the Health and Safety Executive is leading on the incident. Drone photographs shared with the ECHO show the damage sustained by the building. Much of its roof has been destroyed and debris has fallen into the building.

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Responding to the news of the fire, Cllr Leo Evans, Liberal Democrat Councillor for Cambridge Ward, previously told the ECHO: "I was deeply saddened this morning to wake up to the news of the former Hesketh Centre on Albert Road on fire. I'd like to thank the emergency services who have been working since early this morning to combat the fire."

He added: "It is a sad day for Southport as we lose another beautiful Victorian building in the town. The site was one of the country's premier 'Hydro-Hotels' and photos from a century ago show a stunning facility just across the road from Hesketh Park, it is a real shame to lose such history in our town."