Second Woodside Hotel blaze of summer

Aug 13 2008 By Matt Hurst

The Woodside Hotel ablaze

FIRE ripped through the derelict Woodside Hotel in Birkenhead today (August 13), for the second time this summer.

Four crews battled the blaze from both sides, and above using an aerial platform, after Merseyside Fire Service received a call at 1.40pm.

The three-storey building was unoccupied.

Smoke from the billowing flames could be seen on the other side of the Mersey and the drama drew a crowd of spectators from the pubs and offices situated in the vicinity.

The first floor, second floor and roof of the hotel have all been badly damaged.

Merseyside Police were also on scene and closed a stretch of Hamilton Street and Chester Street to traffic as firefighters aimed high pressure hoses at the worst affected areas.

The fire is the second to hit The Woodside Hotel this summer.

On June 4, the first and second floors were severely damaged in what investigators believed was an arson attack.

On that occasion, it appeared fires had been started in different areas of the building, often an indicator of foul play.

The source of today’s fire has not yet been confirmed.

l Updates to follow