Girl, 14, arrested over fire at abandoned Woolton Hall

Girl, 14, arrested over fire at abandoned Woolton Hall

A 14-year-old girl from Liverpool has been taken into custody after setting fire to an abandoned Grade I-listed manor house that has been a longstanding landmark in Liverpool. The Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service (MFRS) responded to the fire at Woolton Hall on Speke Road at around 20:20 BST on Tuesday, working diligently to contain the blaze throughout the night. Merseyside Police reported that the young girl was arrested on suspicion of arson and has since been released on bail following an interrogation.

Detective Inspector Daniel McWhinnie stated that the authorities believe the fire was intentionally started and described it as a thoughtless act that endangered a historical building. The local community is understandably distraught by the incident, and law enforcement is committed to identifying the individuals responsible. Reports of a group of young people congregating near the hall prior to the fire were received by police on the night of the incident.

Woolton Hall, which dates back to 1704, had previously served various purposes including a hotel, an army hospital, a convent, and a school before falling into disrepair in recent years. The investigators have called on anyone with information about the incident or the individuals involved to come forward. In addition, parents or guardians are urged to speak with their children about their whereabouts on the night of the fire. The authorities are also requesting anyone who was driving in the vicinity of Speke Road on Tuesday and may have relevant dashcam footage to contact the police. The primary fire was finally extinguished around 02:00 on Wednesday, and a collaborative investigation between Merseyside Police and the MFRS is underway to determine the cause of the devastating fire

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