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Liverpool car park fire: Images released | Liverpool car park fire: Images released |
(35 minutes later) | |
Photos taken in the aftermath of a huge fire which gutted a car park, destroying 1,300 vehicles, have been released. | Photos taken in the aftermath of a huge fire which gutted a car park, destroying 1,300 vehicles, have been released. |
The multi-storey in King's Dock, Liverpool, suffered extensive damage when it was engulfed by a 1,000C blaze on Sunday. | The multi-storey in King's Dock, Liverpool, suffered extensive damage when it was engulfed by a 1,000C blaze on Sunday. |
Operator ACC Liverpool said all vehicles inside the car park, next to the city's Echo Arena, had been completely destroyed. | Operator ACC Liverpool said all vehicles inside the car park, next to the city's Echo Arena, had been completely destroyed. |
Mayor of Liverpool, Joe Anderson, suggested the blaze would have been contained if recent fire service budget cuts had not been imposed. | |
He also told the BBC the car park was not in danger of collapse, but pulling it down would be difficult with so many vehicles still inside. | |
'Ferocious' fire engulfed arena car park | 'Ferocious' fire engulfed arena car park |
How ex-England footballer and wife fled fire | How ex-England footballer and wife fled fire |
Daughter-in-law's car wrecked at blaze | |
The arena had been hosting the Liverpool International Horse Show at the time, and hundreds of people were stranded overnight because of the fire. | |
No-one was seriously injured, the fire service said. | |
Insurance companies have vowed to expedite claims from those who lost vehicles in the blaze. | |
The Association of British Insurers (ABI) said drivers with comprehensive and third party insurance will be covered against the fire. | |
Malcolm Tarling, from the association, said insurers did not want to leave customers without transport and would "move very quickly" to make payments. | |
Admiral Group said it had received a number of claims and expects more as the day progresses. | |
In total, 21 fire engines were at the scene tackling the blaze, with crews from Greater Manchester and Lancashire assisting. | |
Mr Anderson said budget cuts meant fewer fire local crews were available. | |
Chief Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service officer Dan Stephens said tightened budgets meant large fires presented huge challenges. | |
He said firefighters needed to "call and rely on neighbouring services" to help with such incidents. | |
The government has been approached for comment. | |
It said it was hoping to settle claims as quickly as possible, and expected to make some payments to affected customers by the end of the working day. | |
Those with vehicles in the car park have been told to contact their insurance company quoting reference number 650 of 31 December. | Those with vehicles in the car park have been told to contact their insurance company quoting reference number 650 of 31 December. |