Major fire breaks out at St Helens paintballing centre

Two people who reportedly entered the building but have not yet come out are feared trapped inside.

A major fire has broken out at an indoor paintballing centre in St Helens, emergency services say.

Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service said there were reports two people had entered the "Desert Storm" building on Borough Road but had not yet come out.
Thick, black clouds spilled into the sky as residents reported seeing them from miles away.

The blaze broke out just before 5pm, with fire crews on the scene within five minutes of the first phone call.
Aerial hoses were used to douse the flames, but multiple witnesses reported half of the building had already been destroyed.
A statement from the service read: "Firefighters have been called to a significant fire at an indoor paintballing centre in Borough Road, St Helens.
"Crews were alerted at 5.00pm and were on the scene at just before 5.05pm.

"Fire Crews arrived to find a large building with an area of around 20 x 30 metres well alight.
"There have been reports of two people who have entered the building and have not yet come out.
"There are six fire appliances in attendance."
Borough Road and nearby Prescot Road and Eccleston Street are all closed.