Bootle Warehouse Fire: Asbestos Debris Triggers Hazard Clean-Operation 2026

Key Points

• It is thought that the debris from asbestos has ended up on neighboring properties due to the fire in a warehouse in Fernhill Road, Bootle, on Tuesday, September 29, 2026.
• Letters were sent by Sefton Council to residents and businesses advising them that the fire debris “may contain potentially hazardous materials such as asbestos” and asking not to touch, sweep, vacuum, or wash the debris.
• A specialized clean-up operation involving hazmat suit-wearing workers has begun, while the road remains closed for safety purposes.
• Two men have been arrested in connection with the incident and 37-year-old Kurram Shahzad was charged with arson recklessly as to endangering life and will appear before Wirral Magistrates’ Court.
• The Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service attended with eight fire engines and one aerial appliance, no injuries have been reported, but neighboring houses were evacuated as a precautionary measure.
• People have been asked to keep away the children, pets, and other persons from the site and not to move any debris until it has been removed by specialists.

Bootle Fire (Liverpool standard) October 02, 2026 – Harmful materials, including asbestos, are thought to have been spread across buildings and properties near a warehouse fire in Bootle earlier this week, prompting an emergency clean-up and extended road closures. Sefton Council has written to residents and businesses close to the Fernhill Road site warning that debris from the blaze “may contain harmful materials like asbestos” and instructing them to leave it undisturbed while trained specialists carry out removal work. The fire, which broke out at around 8.20pm on Tuesday, September 29, caused significant damage to a building believed to house Fast Fit Garage and a furniture shop, with the roof left hollowed out and debris scattered across the surrounding area.

What happened at the Bootle warehouse fire?

Emergency services were called to Fernhill Road in Bootle at approximately 8.20pm on Tuesday, September 29, after reports of a large industrial fire at a warehouse. Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service said crews were alerted to the suspected arson attack at 8.23pm and arrived shortly afterwards with eight fire engines and one aerial appliance to tackle the blaze. Firefighters remained on site through the night and into Wednesday morning, with Scottish Power called to isolate electricity to the affected property at 12.44am as part of safety measures.

Nearby homes were evacuated as a precaution and a cordon was put in place while firefighters worked to bring the incident under control. No injuries were reported, but thick smoke was visible across the area and portions of Fernhill Road were closed in both directions from Burnie Avenue to A5098 Aintree Road. As reported by the Liverpool Echo, the road remains closed as specialist teams begin the hazardous debris removal process.

What do council letters say about asbestos risk?

Sefton Council has sent letters to residents and businesses in the immediate vicinity of the fire, informing them of the possibility that asbestos is present in the scattered debris. In the letter, seen by the Liverpool Echo, the council warns people not to touch the debris from the fire as it “may contain harmful materials like asbestos”. The correspondence, dated Thursday, October 1, states:

“This work is being carried out by trained asbestos specialists, using appropriate equipment and methods to limit dust and prevent the material spreading.”

The council adds:

“We understand that this may be concerning to hear and we want to reassure you that we are working quickly with partners to ensure this debris is removed safely.”

To assist with the removal and clean-up process, the road closure on Fernhill Road will need to stay in place. “While we understand this is causing disruption to traffic, this extended closure is necessary to ensure people are kept safe from any potential risks,” the letter says.

What safety guidance has been issued to residents?

The council’s guidance to people in the immediate vicinity of the warehouse sets out clear do-not-do instructions to reduce exposure risk. Residents are told to leave suspected debris where it is and not to pick it up, sweep it, vacuum it, mow over it or pressure-wash it. They are also advised to keep children, pets and other people away from affected areas and not to put debris in any bin, wash it into drains or take it to a recycling centre.

If debris is on a vehicle or driveway, people are told not to wash it off or drive over it and to contact the council for advice. The letter explains:

“Asbestos can pose a health risk if fibres are disturbed and are breathed in. Leaving debris undisturbed and having it removed by trained specialists helps significantly reduce potential exposure. Again, please leave the clean-up to the specialist teams.”

The Liverpool Echo understands that hazmat-wearing workers are now on site carrying out the clean-up operation.

Who has been arrested and charged over the fire?

A Merseyside Police investigation was launched as the fire unfolded, resulting in the arrest of a 37-year-old man from Belle Vale and a 28-year-old man from Kirkby. The force has since charged Kurram Shahzad, 37, who lives in Belle Vale, with arson with recklessness as to whether life was endangered. He was remanded to appear at Wirral Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday, October 1.

Merseyside Police had earlier stated that at around 8.20pm on Tuesday, September 29, they received a report that an industrial warehouse on Fernhill Road was set alight in a suspected arson attack. No injuries were reported but nearby homes were evacuated as a precaution and road closures were put in place. A joint investigation between Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service and Merseyside Police is ongoing and anyone with information is asked to contact police.

Background to the development

The Fernhill Road site is understood to include Fast Fit Garage and a furniture shop, both of which suffered significant damage in the fire. Industrial fires of this scale often involve complex building materials, and in older commercial premises asbestos-containing products were commonly used in roofing, cladding and insulation before stricter controls were introduced. When such structures burn, debris can be scattered over a wide area by heat, wind and firefighting operations, which is why councils typically treat post-fire debris as potentially hazardous until proven otherwise. Sefton Council’s decision to issue formal warnings and deploy specialist removal teams reflects standard public-health protocols for incidents where asbestos exposure cannot be ruled out.

Prediction: how this development could affect local residents and businesses

If asbestos fibres are confirmed in the debris, the immediate effect will be prolonged disruption for households and traders along Fernhill Road due to continued closures and controlled access while clean-up proceeds. Residents may face temporary restrictions on using driveways, gardens or vehicles if contamination is found, and some could require professional decontamination of external surfaces. Over the medium term, the incident is likely to heighten scrutiny of fire safety and hazardous-materials management in local industrial units, potentially prompting more frequent inspections and stricter enforcement of storage and waste-handling rules. For local businesses, extended road closures can reduce footfall and delay deliveries, while insurance premiums in the area could be reviewed if arson-related fires become a repeated pattern. Public confidence may also be affected, with communities expecting clearer, faster communication about risks and timelines whenever hazardous materials are suspected after future incidents.