Four people have died and a fifth person has been taken to hospital after a house fire on Merseyside.

Six fire engines were at the scene at the height of the blaze at the semi-detached property in Stone Square in Bootle, Sefton, at 03:45 BST.

Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service said eight firefighters entered the house, which was well alight when they arrived, to search for people inside following an “intense fire which spread very rapidly”.

Officers from Merseyside Police are also at the scene and an investigation into the cause of the fire is under way.

The street was cordoned off by police and, earlier, fire officers could be seen knocking on the doors of neighbouring homes.

One neighbour said: “I heard shouting in the early hours but I just thought someone was having an argument, then I came downstairs and saw all the fire engines.”

Another local resident, who did not want to be named, said: “We all came out on the front and we could see smoke coming over from the houses.

“The sirens woke me up and there were fire engines in the street.”

The fire service said the main fire had been extinguished with crews damping down the area.

Two fire engines remain at the scene.

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