TWO teenage girls were rescued from a derelict asbestos-ridden building in Runcorn yesterday.

Firefighters wore breathing apparatus to search East Lane House after receiving a call that the youngsters were lost inside the dilapidated four-storey former office block.

Eight emergency ambulance vehicles were at the scene including three ambulances and five first responder cars.

A spokesman for North West Ambulance Service said: “Our vehicles attended as a precaution because of the asbestos.

“The youths’ parents were at the scene. They were advised to take their children to a walk in centre of GP as a precaution.”

She said the girls were discharged by paramedics at the scene.

The incident was reported at 5pm on Wednesday, August 26.

A Cheshire Fire and Rescue Service spokesman said: “Fire crews attended reports of two people in a disused building near to Runcorn Shopping Centre.

“Crews entered the building and escorted two teenagers to safety. It seems the girls couldn’t find their way back out and got a bit lost.”

The former Department of Employment offices, built in the 1960s have been lying dormant for many years.

They have been subject to crime, vandalism and arson attacks.

The building is set to be transformed into 448 flats after the Government quashed a decision by Halton Council.

London-based developer Absolute Living Developments lodged an appeal and won.

The company plans to create 54 one-bedroom flats and 394 studio flats.