Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service

21/10/2026

When was the last time you checked your smoke alarm?

Working smoke alarms can give you the time you need to escape.

🏠 Ensure you have a working smoke alarm on every level of your home
☝️ Test your smoke alarms every week
📞 If you hear a smoke alarm go off in a neighbour’s property, check it out and call 999 immediately if you suspect a fire
🆘 In the event of a fire, get out, stay out and call 999

For fire safety advice, or if you do not have working smoke alarms in your property, call Fire Service Direct on 0800 731 5958

14/10/2026

🎃 Halloween is just around the corner and on Burns Awareness Day today, it’s a timely reminder to make sure your loved ones are dressed safely.

Many Halloween costumes are classed as toys and aren’t made to the same safety standards as everyday clothing, which means they can catch fire and burn much faster.

Here are a few simple tips to help keep your family safe this spooky season:

✅ Check the label – look for costumes with the UKCA or CE mark.
✅ Layer up – add a layer of clothing underneath for extra protection.
✅ Keep flames away – make sure candles, pumpkins and open flames are kept clear of doorways and paths where trick-or-treaters will be.

Help prevent serious burn injuries and ensure everyone enjoys a safe and happy Halloween 🎃🔥

09/10/2026

We were delighted to welcome Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State (Minister for Building Safety, Fire and Resilience) Baroness Blake of Leeds CBE to Merseyside to showcase our National Resilience capabilities 🚒

From wildfire, flood rescue and enhanced logistics support to urban search and rescue, canine, and specialist control capabilities, the visit highlighted how Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service leads the coordination of National Resilience assets across England - ensuring we’re ready to respond to major incidents, natural disasters and national emergencies.

The recent £97 million Government investment in National Resilience assets, that includes state of the art Wildfire vehicles and cutting edge kit and equipment, is a significant step forward, ensuring firefighters are equipped with modern, fit-for-purpose capabilities to meet the risks of today and tomorrow.

The visit concluded with a tour of National Resilience Fire Control, where Baroness Blake saw first-hand how specialist control capabilities coordinate NR assets across England.

07/10/2026

06/10/2026

Congratulations to our dog handler Niamh and Spud on successfully completing their Live Scenting USAR Canine Team training!

A fantastic achievement for them both and an important step in their development as a search and rescue duo 🐾

We always knew Spud had potential, especially given she’s the daughter of our much loved search and rescue dog Scout, and she’s certainly proving us right!

Scout will now see out the rest of his career with ISAR, where he’ll continue to be a much-valued member of the team.

Well done Niamh and Spud!

02/10/2026

This week we recognised International Day of Older Persons - MFRS crews, Prevention staff, and volunteers from across the Service, visited members of our community all over Merseyside to carry out Home Fire Safety Checks 🚨 🚒

Home Fire Safety Checks include checking smoke detectors are in working condition, replacing any faulty alarms, installing free carbon monoxide alarms as well as answering questions and providing important advice on fire safety around the home.

Prevention is a key part of saving lives. If you know an older family member or neighbour who would benefit from a Home Fire Safety Check, please call Fire Service Direct on 0800 731 5958.

01/10/2026

Fire crews have been out in the Bootle area this week completing a community reassurance campaign following the tragic house fire at Stone Square.

Working alongside Merseyside Police, Sefton Council and One Vision Housing, our teams have been visiting homes, carrying out Home Fire Safety Checks, installing smoke alarms and speaking to residents about fire safety.

Safety advice was also shared on the risks associated with lithium-ion batteries.

If you own an e-bike or e-scooter, please remember:
⚠️ Only use manufacturer-recommended batteries and chargers
⚠️ Never charge overnight or while you’re asleep
⚠️ Keep escape routes clear at all times
⚠️ Avoid DIY conversions and check for UK safety markings
⚠️ Make sure you have working smoke alarms on every level of your home

Make sure everyone in your household knows their escape routes, and close all internal doors at night to help slow the spread of fire and smoke.

If you can’t escape safely, close the door and block the bottom with towels or bedding to help prevent smoke getting in. Call 999 and tell the operator where you are.

22/09/2026

Merseyside Fire & Rescue Service (MFRS) attended a house fire in Bootle on Tuesday, 22nd September and can sadly confirm that four people have tragically lost their lives in the fire.

This is a devastating incident and our thoughts are very much with their family and friends who are experiencing unimaginable loss.

MFRS Fire Control received a 999 call at 3.38am and crews were immediately alerted, arriving on scene at 3.45am. At the height of the incident, six fire engines were in attendance. On arrival at Stone Square, firefighters found a semi-detached house well alight.

Firefighters wearing breathing apparatus entered the property and began searching the property and fighting the fire.

A casualty outside the house on arrival of fire crews was taken into the care of North West Ambulance Service and taken to hospital suffering from burns.

During the course of their search, firefighters discovered four casualties in an upstairs bedroom, showing no signs of life. Two members of North West Ambulance’s Hazardous Area Response Team were committed into the incident and tragically confirmed that all four had lost their lives.

MFRS and Merseyside Police are now undertaking a joint investigation to establish the cause of the fire.

MFRS 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.”

16/09/2026

Together as one ❤️

MFRS firefighters completed the final climb of 343 as a group, one for each FDNY firefighter who lost their life on September 11, 2001.

A photo of each fallen firefighter was carried to the top of St John's Tower on every climb. The final photo, carried by firefighter Tom Molyneux, honoured Terry Farrell (Rescue 4).

Fundraising closes very soon, with donations supporting the Fire Fighters Charity and the Terry Farrell Firefighters' Fund.

If you'd like to support these incredible charities, there's still time to donate ❤️