London: An estimated 1,600 cars were destroyed in a fire that raged through a multi-storey parking garage in the English city of Liverpool. The fire next to Liverpool’s Echo Arena also threatened horses stabled in the garage for performances at the Liverpool International Horse Show.
The horses were moved to safety inside the arena. The popular horse show was cancelled because of the fire, which was brought under control early on Monday. The charred remains of ruined vehicles were visible in the seven storeys of the parking garage.
There were no reported injuries in the blaze. Officials set up an emergency shelter to help those who could not get home because their cars had been burned.
Fire officials said two dogs were rescued from vehicles parked in the structure. The Echo Arena said all people and horses were safe.
Witnesses said cars seemed to explode every couple of seconds when the fire was at its peak.
They said the fire appeared to start in the engine of an older Land Rover and quickly spread.
