Firefighters are currently dealing with a large fire in the old Littlewoods Building on Edge Lane, Liverpool.

Crews were alerted at 7.52pm and were on scene by 7.56pm. Six engines are currently in attendance, as well as the combined platform ladder.

On arrival, crews found the roof of the five storey building well alight.

An area of approximately 200m x 100m is on fire from the first floor of the building upwards.

Crews using breathing apparatus have entered the building to tackle the fire. Two main jets are being used to tackle the fire externally.

Merseyside Fire & Rescue Service has received close to 60 calls from members of the public regarding this incident.

The incident is ongoing.

UPDATE 9.07PM

Crews are continuing to tackle the fire. Six engines and three support pumps are currently in attendance along with the combined platform ladder and high volume pump. A command support unit is also in attendance.

UPDATE 9.41PM

The fire has been sectorised as crews continue to tackle the fire, which involves around 40% of the building.

Two combined platform ladders are being used to tackle the fire.

Merseyside Police have closed both lanes of Edge Lane between the junctions of Beech Street and Laurel Road.

UPDATE 10.04PM

A third combined platform ladder is now in attendance.

Large plumes of smoke are coming from the building and nearby residents are advised to keep their windows and doors closed.

UPDATE 10.55PM

A multi agency meeting has taken place between Merseyside Fire & Rescue Service, Merseyside Police, Liverpool City Council and the building owner, to discuss firefighting tactics and any concerns.

Crews are removing hoardings from the building's windows to give access for further firefighting.

UPDATE 00.45AM

A second multi agency meeting has taken place between Merseyside Fire & Rescue Service, Merseyside Police, SP Energy Networks, Liverpool City Council and the building owners.

A structural engineer has assessed the scene and has no concerns at this time over the integrity of the structure.

Firefighting continues.

UPDATE 1.30AM

Firefighters remain at the scene of a large scale fire in the old Littlewoods Building on Edge Lane, Liverpool.

The fire involved the right hand side of the iconic Littlewoods Building. The fire is now under control and crews have prevented it from spreading to the middle section and left hand side of the building, which remains undamaged.

A structural engineer from Liverpool City Council has assessed the building and has no concerns over its structural integrity at this time.

Area Manager Paul Murphy said: "This has been a significant fire and extremely difficult for our crews to deal with due to the size of the building. However, crews have worked extremely hard to battle this fire and have prevented it from spreading into the remainder of such an iconic building.

"We are all Merseyside firefighters and this building is as much iconic to us as it is to anyone else, so we are really pleased that we have been able to prevent further spread of fire.

"It has been a challenging incident but we are in a position with the council where we feel the structural integrity of the building may remain intact."

At its height, six fire engines (as well as three support pumps), three combined platform ladders, a high volume pump, command support unit and incident command unit were in attendance.

Area Manager Murphy added: "To be able to get such a large scale fire under control in a matter of hours without any injuries to our firefighters is something we're very pleased with."

Crews will remain on scene over the next 24 hours to carry out damping down operations.

An investigation into the cause of the fire will be launched and a further multi agency meeting will take place on Monday morning.

UPDATE 3.40PM

Two combined platform ladders remain in use in sector 1 as water towers that are being fed from the high volume pump. Crews are repositioning equipment to free up Edge Lane for the morning commute.

UPDATE 6.05am

Firefighters remain on scene this morning.

Crews have created high level openings in wooden panelling to access the fire on the upper floors. Main branches and high pressure hose reels are in use for firefighting from the combined platform ladders.

Crews are also fighting the fire internally from a protected area using one main branch.

An audit of the area is taking place to allow vehicle access for local businesses.

Merseyside Police have re-opened the Liverpool bound carriageway of Edge Lane.