Kensington blaze forces people out of homes

May 13 2008 by Alan Weston, Liverpool Daily Post

A NUMBER of residents were evacuated from their homes after a garage fire sent clouds of thick black smoke billowing across Kensington, Liverpool, last night.

More than 35 firefighters were called to tackle the blaze at the car repair business off Prescot Road at 6.20pm.

Burning tyres sent up plumes of thick black smoke. which could be seen over a wide area. Police set up a cordon around the scene and residents were not allowed into their homes. Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service said the premises was a former petrol garage, now used to house two car repair businesses and car wash.

Incident commander Ben Ryder said: “The fire involved a large quantity of tyres on an upper floor inside the enclosed garage area.

“This caused part of the roof collapsed and they brought in an made it necessary to bring in an aerial appliance. to tackle the fire.

“There are no reported injuries but the fire did cause some disruption by Prescot Road being blocked off.” Nearby residents reported hearing loud bangs as the fire took hold.

Linda Williams, who is deputy manager at a nearby childrens’ home, said: “It was like a bomb had exploded. The amount of smoke was unbelievable.

“People rushed out into the street to see what was going on.”