THE damage caused by a fire in a flat above a row of shops last week was so "extensive" that the cause of the blaze could not be determined, an investigation has found.

The Star reported on Monday, January 8, after seven fire engines rushed to the scene at around 1pm, with cordons in place on Thatto Heath Road as emergency services dealt with the blaze.

A first-floor flat above a row of shops was found to be "well alight" as crews arrived.

The fire was within the roof space of four brick-built terraced properties, the fire service said.

Smoke could be seen emitting from the properties.

St Helens Star: Smoke coming from the roofSmoke coming from the roof (Image: Dale Fisher)

Firefighters spent more than six hours at the scene dealing with the blaze and road closures were put in place.

A crane was seen being used as crews cracked open the roof in their efforts to tackle the fire.

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A Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service spokesman said after the fire: "Fire crews have been called to a flat fire on Stevens Street, Scholes Lane, Thatto Heath, St Helens on Monday afternoon (January 8).

"Crews were alerted at 12.59pm and on scene at 1.04pm, with seven fire engines and an aerial appliance currently in attendance.

St Helens Star: Fire crews at the sceneFire crews at the scene (Image: St Helens Star)

"Crews arrived to find a first floor flat above a row of shops well alight. The fire is within the roof space of four brick built terraced properties at the incident site."

He added that all people at the properties have been accounted for.

After extinguishing the blaze, firefighters remained at the scene to deal with hotspots and damp down the roof space from an aerial appliance, monitoring temperatures with a thermal imaging camera.

At 7.07pm all firefighting ceased and crews left the scene by 7.25pm, he added.

St Helens Star: Firefighters at the sceneFirefighters at the scene (Image: St Helens Star)

An investigation was launched by the fire and rescue service into the cause of the blaze.

In an update given to the Star, a Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service spokeswoman said: "An investigation into the fire has concluded and fire damage was so extensive that a specific cause could not be determined at this time."