Location: Suez Street, Newton-le-Willows
Firefighters are currently in attendance at a fire on Suez Street, Newton-le-Willows.
Crews were alerted at 4pm and on scene at 4.04pm. Two fire engines are in attendance.
The fire involves a large quantity of rubbish, approximately 20m x 20m in size underneath the road bridge close to Chemical Street.
Crews are using hose reel jets and a main branch to extinguish the fire.
Due to the large volume of smoke from the fire - which is currently blowing towards the town centre - nearby residents and businesses are advised to keep their windows and doors closed. Anyone with existing medical conditions should keep medicines to hand and contact NHS 111 if ill effects occur.
Firefighters expect to remain at the scene for most of the night.
The incident is ongoing.
UPDATE 9.29AM FRI 27TH DEC
Firefighters have remained on scene overnight.
A multi agency meeting has taken place this morning between MFRS, Network Rail, St Helens Council and the site owner.
The incident is ongoing and previous advice of keeping windows and doors closed should still be followed.
UPDATE 12.23pm
Firefighters remain on scene.
A digger is being used to remove the rubbish and spread it out to allow firefighters to damp down.