Flames burst from the pavement as homes were evacuated following a gas leak in Everton
Shortly after 2am on Tuesday, emergency services were called to Boundary Lane in Everton to reports of a fire close to a number of home. Two fire engines were sent to the scene.
A number of houses were evacuated by fire crews as a precaution and a 25m cordon was put in place, with both ends of Boundary Lane closed off to traffic. A boundary wall could be seen blackened with scorch marks caused by the leaking gas igniting.
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A boundary wall could be seen blackened with scorch marks caused by the leaking gas igniting. People and businesses in the immediate vicinity were left without both gas and electricity as a result of the incident.
A large number of Cadent and Scottish Power vehicles were visible at the scene. A person who lives close to where the fire happened said: "We heard what sounded like two 'thumping' noises and then the house lights flickered. The fire service came down and parked outside. They said there'd been a gas main fire.
"All the alarms were going off in the street. The road was dug up recently to put in new gas mains and you could smell the gas."
Another woman, Sam, said: "It's been a nightmare. We had no electricity and no hot water, so you couldn't get a wash. I've had to go to my mum's to work from home."
Fire crews left the scene at 9.40am and the incident was handed over to Scottish Power and Cadent. Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service incident commander Tim Selby said: "It was a gas leak which ignited. It was a jet of flame which came out at quite a velocity. Out of an abundance of caution the nearby properties were evacuated.
"It meant there was no gas or electricity in the area but residents were allowed to return once it was clear there was no gas leaking in the properties."
A fire service spokesperson said: "Multi-agency meetings have taken place between MFRS, Merseyside Police, Cadent, Scottish Power, Liverpool City Council and Torus Housing. The incident has now been handed over to Scottish Power and Cadent, with fire crews leaving the scene at 9.40am."
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