FIREFIGHTERS have been tackling a large blaze at a first floor flat in Parkgate, Neston this morning (Friday, January 17).

Cheshire Fire and Rescue Service was called out to the scene just before 1.40am and on arrival, crews discovered it was a significant fire.

Gas and electricity supplies to the property were isolated and two firefighters wearing breathing apparatus used a main jet and a hose reel jet to extinguish the fire, which is believed to have started in the kitchen.

Three fire engines attended, one from Powey Lane, one from Ellesmere Port and one from Heswall in Merseyside - as well as an aerial ladder platform from Chester.

The blaze spread to the roof space and the shop underneath the flat has sustained water damage due to leaking pipes.

The fire did not spread to neighbouring properties, which firefighters have investigated.

Thermal imaging cameras were used to check for hotspots in all of the properties that firefighters entered.

Once the fire was out, firefighters damped the flat down to make it safe and used a large fan to clear smoke from the flat.

An aerial ladder platform was used to removed roof tiles and damp the flat down from above.

The road was closed by the police and paramedics assessed someone from a neighbouring property who was suffering from the effects of smoke inhalation.

It has not yet been confirmed whether there was anyone in the flat at the time the fire broke out.

An investigation into the cause of the fire has begun and one fire engine remained in attendance.

Firefighters isolated the water supply to the property due to the leaking pipes.