Firework shot at Liver Building in Liverpool amid league win celebrations
Police said there was “significant disorder” as part of the Liver Building in Liverpool caught fire amid wild celebrations over the club’s Premier League win.
While the majority of fans stayed at home to celebrate Liverpool's title win, some gathered in the city centre to mark the club's first top flight league in 30 years.
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However police were forced to issue a section 34 dispersal order, allowing officers to break up groups of more than two people, until Saturday.
Footage posted online appears to show glass bottles being thrown at police, while another video shows a firework aimed at the Liver Building.
Four fire engines were sent to the building, where they extinguished a blaze on a balcony, a Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service spokeswoman said. The extent of the damage was not known.
Earlier, pictures showed fans gathering in the city centre on Friday despite police and politicians warning them coronavirus was still a “major risk”.
In a joint statement with Merseyside council, Liverpool FC said the gathering was “wholly unacceptable”.
It continued: “The potential danger of a second peak of COVID-19 still exists and we need to work together to make sure we don’t undo everything that has been achieved as a region during lockdown.
“When it is safe to do so, we will all work together to arrange a victory parade when everyone can come together to celebrate. Until that time, the safety of our city and our people continues to be our number one priority.”
It follows supporters packing into the area around Anfield Stadium on Thursday night when Liverpool claimed the title as the final whistle blew in the match between Chelsea and Manchester City.
Merseyside Police anticipated people coming together to mark Liverpool becoming champions of England for the first time since 1990 again on Friday night, but had warned fans to wait for official celebrations.
Liverpool mayor Joe Anderson said on Twitter he was “really concerned” about the crowds on Friday night but said the council did not have the power to disperse the gathering.
He said: “I appreciate #LFC fans want to celebrate but please, for your own safety, and that of others, go home and celebrate at home.
“Covid-19 is still a major risk and our city has already lost far too many people to the illness.”
Mr Anderson, who described the scenes outside Anfield on Thursday as “disappointing”, told the PA news agency an official victory parade would be held once it was “really safe”.
Liverpool City Council said alternative plans were being made to mark the achievement in an “appropriate manner” at the end of the season in July.
Police pointed out that Merseyside still had a disproportionately high number of coronavirus cases compared to other parts of the country.
Merseyside Police assistant chief constable Jon Roy said: “We understand people want to celebrate Liverpool becoming Premier League champions for the first time in 30 years, and the time will come when fans can celebrate together with the team and applaud their achievement, but now is not that time.
“Please follow the advice of the players, the manager and the club by putting safety first. The club is encouraging fans to share their experiences of watching future games at home with the hashtag #LFCAtHome on social media, and we all look forward to sharing your experiences of celebrating safely.”
By the time Chelsea’s 2-1 victory over City was confirmed on Thursday night around 100 fans, many wearing facemasks, were outside the Main Stand at Anfield where they let off fireworks and waved flags.
Within an hour of the decisive match finishing, thousands of other supporters had joined them.