Massive Fire Engulfs Historic Woolton Hall Liverpool

A major fire engulfed Woolton Hall, a historic Grade I listed building in Liverpool dating back to 1704, causing its roof to collapse and sending smoke visible miles away. Firefighters from Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service responded swiftly, deploying five fire engines and an aerial platform to battle the blaze, with police assisting in traffic management and road closures around the site. Woolton Hall, which has been vacant and in disrepair since 2003, previously suffered a damaging fire in 2019 that was treated as arson, and the building has been on Historic England's Heritage at Risk register since 2021. The hall has a rich history, having served as a manor house, hotel, army hospital, and school, with recent plans to convert it into a retirement village failing to gain financial backing. Fire crews worked to protect adjacent buildings and urged residents nearby to keep windows and doors closed due to smoke, while a drone was used for situational awareness. Locals and social media users noted the recurring fires and speculated about development interests tied to the building's future use.