HUNDREDS of people were ordered to flee their homes amid fears of a huge explosion at a garage.
Firefighters were called to a blaze at the garage in Delamore Street, Kirkdale, just before 4pm yesterday.
They immediately evacuated all homes within 250m in case acetylene cannisters inside the garage exploded.
A police helicopter circled overhead using a loudspeaker to order people to flee.
Almost 100 people used coaches to get to the nearby Everton Park Sports Centre where food and beds were hastily organised.
Others stood in the street or fled to friends and relatives’ homes.
It was later revealed the cordon could be in place for 24 hours.
Emptied roads included Stuart Road, Hale Road, County Road, Carisbrooke Road, Goodall Street, Westminster Road, Brewster Street, Leighton Street and Roxburgh Street.
Mother-of-four Diane Maines, 37, fled her home in Delamore Street.
She said: “The kids ran in and said there was smoke everywhere.
I could see huge flames going right up in the air.
“The police were telling everyone to leave because it was so dangerous.
“It was really frightening. Children were screaming in the street because they were scared.”
