EMERGENCY crews were called to a fire at a prominent St Helens town centre building that has been undergoing a redevelopment. 

Residents reported seeing firefighters in attendance at the Beecham building last Thursday evening, May 30, after smoke could be seen issuing from the roof tiles.

A fire and rescue service spokesman said they were called shortly before 8.45pm and crews used a ladder to get on the roof and access the fire to extinguish the flames.  

Firefighters were at the scene for around 90 minutes.

The Grade II listed building has been undergoing a development, including the creation of residential apartments.

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A Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service spokesman said: "Crews were called to a fire on Water Street, St. Helens on Thursday, May 30, with three fire engines in attendance.

"Crews were alerted at 8.44pm and on scene at 8.48pm. Crews arrived to find a three-storey brick building comprising of empty flats under construction, with smoke issuing from roof tiles.

"As the roof space could not be accessed from inside the building firefighters pitched a ladder to access the roof, using rope access gear and small tools they were able to locate the fire and use a high pressure hose reel to extinguish it."

He added: "The fire within the roof void was extinguished by 9.36pm and firefighters monitored for any fire spread using a thermal imaging camera and found no further signs of fire.

"Crews left the scene at 10.20pm."

The Beechams factory and office building, built in the 1880s, was famous for producing the well-known Beechams pills.

The factory closed in 1994 and the building remains one of St Helens' most iconic structures.