RESIDENTS forced to flee after fears of a huge explosion at a garage were finally allowed to return home more than 24 hours later.
The drama unfolded after a blaze at a garage in Delamore Street, Kirkdale, on Wednesday afternoon.
Local people were forced to evacuate their homes as a precaution amid fears of an explosion caused by a number of potentially lethal acetylene cannisters stored at the scene of the fire.
Of the 400 or so people who were evacuated, a total of 88 were put up overnight at Everton Park Sports Centre.
The 250m cordon which was initially set up around the scene was reduced to 50m yesterday morning, and lifted completely shortly before 5pm.
They were only allowed back after the area was declared safe by Merseyside Fire Service.
A number of acetylene and oxygen cylinders have now been removed.
