Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service are currently at the incident
21:51, 18 Jan 2026Updated 22:01, 18 Jan 2026
Local residents have reportedly been told to keep windows and doors closed (Image: Handout)
A derelict school has gone up in flames. Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service were called to reports of a fire at a derelict school on Winwick Road in Newton-le-Willows shortly before 7pm on Sunday, January 18.
Pictures of the scene taken by eyewitnesses showed plumes of smoke above trees and several fire engines at the scene. In a statement, a spokesperson for the fire service said: “Crews were alerted at 6.59pm and on scene at 7.07pm, with three fire engines and an aerial appliance in attendance.
“Crews arrived to find a two storey brick built building involved in fire. Water supplies were established and surrounding buildings were checked to ensure fire had not spread, while firefighters began to fight the fire with hose reel jets and main branch hoses.
An abandoned school has gone up in flames(Image: Handout)
“The incident is ongoing.” People living in the area said they have been told by firefighters to keep their windows and doors closed as crews tackle the blaze.
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