Bootle house fire leaves four dead as man reportedly smashed windows in rescue attempt

Four people have died after an intense house fire in Bootle, Merseyside, early Tuesday morning.

Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service said crews were called to a semi-detached property in Stone Square at 3:38 a.m. and arrived seven minutes later.

Eight firefighters wearing breathing apparatus entered the burning home to search for occupants and tackle the blaze.

Four people were later found in an upstairs bedroom and were confirmed dead at the scene. A fifth person found outside the property was taken to hospital suffering from burns.

Witness accounts said a man attempted to help those trapped inside by smashing windows as the fire spread rapidly through the property.

Six fire engines attended at the height of the incident before crews brought the main blaze under control.

Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service and Merseyside Police have launched a joint investigation into the cause of the fire.