Arson suspected after pub fires

Thirty firefighters were drafted in to tackle the blaze at the Mersey Pride

Police are investigating suspected arson attacks which severely damaged two pubs on Merseyside.

Firefighters tackled the blazes at the Mersey Pride pub in Norris Green and West Derby Hotel, West Derby - two miles apart - in the early hours.

The West Derby Hotel fire took hold about 30 minutes after the other one. A couple in their late 20s, and their child, escaped unharmed.

A Merseyside Fire Service spokeswoman said the fires could be linked.

Merseyside Police have confirmed that the blazes are under investigation.

It is too early to say if this incident is linked to any other recent incidents Merseyside Police spokeswoman

At its height, 30 firefighters were drafted in to tackle the blaze at the Mersey Pride pub and several appliances remained on site on Wednesday morning.

Firefighters said the blaze at the West Derby Hotel had spread across the ground floor, leaving 80% of the building smoke damaged.

The pub was one of three in the area targeted by gunmen in a shooting last month.

"An investigation has been launched and detectives are looking at whether the fire may have been started deliberately," a Merseyside Police spokeswoman said.

"It is too early to say if this incident is linked to any other recent incidents."