Fire destroys hundreds of vehicles in Liverpool multi-storey car park
A major fire that destroyed up to 1,400 vehicles at a multi-storey car park in Liverpool could have been stopped if sprinklers had been fitted in the building, a chief fire officer said.
Dan Stephens, of Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service (MFRS), said such a system would have given crews a "much better" chance of stopping the fire, which went on to engulf seven floors of the multi-storey car park at the Echo Arena on Liverpool's waterfront.
More than a dozen fire engines tackled the inferno on the city's waterfront ahead of New Year's celebrations.
Witnesses described grabbing possessions and running for their lives after the blaze broke out in an old Land Rover shortly after 5pm and rapidly spread to nearby vehicles.
Cars were heard exploding "every few seconds" as firefighters battled to bring the inferno under control into the early hours of New Year's Day.
The fire service said crews rescued two dogs from one of the vehicles inside the car park during efforts to tackle the blaze. A spokesman said they were thought to be the only animals in the car park at the time.
Joe Anderson, the Mayor of Liverpool, said the council will take advice on any "lessons to be learned" over the blaze at the local authority-owned building, which was constructed in 2008.
Sue Wright, wife of former England footballer Mark, said she witnessed the start of the blaze and said it was sparked by an engine fire in the 4x4.
She told the Mail Online: "It was an old car that exploded as we were leaving the building. We were in our minibus and one of the kids shouted, 'there's a fire!'"
She added: "We've lost everything because our car was right next to the car that exploded. My handbag was in it, our cards, cash, everything. We just grabbed the keys and ran."
Mrs Wright said the cars were "just popping every couple of seconds".
The Arena, which is next to the car-park, had been due to host the final session of Liverpool's International Horse Show, with some 4,000 people in attendance.
Merseyside Police believe all vehicles inside the car park, which can accommodate up to 1,600 cars, were destroyed.
Video footage of the fire on social media showed several levels of the car park ablaze.
Around 4,000 people were expected to attend the event before it was cancelled late on Sunday.
Several animals participating in the show, near to King's Dock, had to be evacuated to safety.
Crews were called to the building in the city centre around 4.45pm.
Six fire engines initially responded and are still tackling the blaze, with crews expected to remain on scene for some hours, Mersey Fire and Rescue Service said.
Nearby apartments were evacuated as safety precautions, while people were urged to avoid the scene.
No people or animals are believed to have been hurt.
Organisers cancelled the horse show, which was due to start at 7.30pm, around 6.30pm.
Merseyside Police said: "Initial investigations indicate that an accidental fire within a vehicle caused other cars to ignite.
"We believe that all vehicles parked in the car park have been destroyed and advise owners to contact their insurance companies."
Liverpool mayor Joe Anderson tweeted that the "major" fire had caused "extensive" damage.
He encouraged people to offer help to those stranded by the fire.
The horse show began on Thursday and was due to end on Sunday.
A spokeswoman for the Echo Arena said: "We regret to announce that the Liverpool International Horse Show has been cancelled tonight due to a serious fire in the multi-storey car park on site.
"All people and horses are safe and secure."
The Arena played host to Sports Personality of the Year earlier in December.