SEVERAL horses have been evacuated after a number of cars were ablaze at a multi-storey car park in Liverpool.
Twelve fire engines tackled the "major" blaze at the Echo Arena's multi-storey car park this evening.
Several animals participating in the International Horse Show, near to Liverpool's King's Dock, were evacuated to safety ahead of its Sunday evening session.
According to ITV, at least two or three levels of the car park appeared alight, with periodic mini-explosions and flames shooting up the outside of the building
The meeting, which had been scheduled for 7.30pm, was later cancelled.
Fire crews said that a number of vehicles were on fire but that no people or animals were hurt.
Fire at Liverpool Echo Arena multi storey car park pic.twitter.com/YPkMqoJrpm
— James Randall (@JamesRandalll_) December 31, 2017
Six fire engines initially responded and are still tackling the blaze, Mersey Fire and Rescue Service said.
Nearby apartments were evacuated as safety precautions, while people were urged to avoid the scene.
Merseyside Police said: "We can confirm that we are dealing with an incident at the car park of the Liverpool Echo Arena and a number of vehicles are on fire."
We can confirm that we are dealing with an incident at the car park of the Liverpool Echo Arena and a number of vehicles are on fire.
We were called to the scene tonight (Sunday, 31 December, 2017) at 5pm.
Stay away from the area traffic restrictions are in place.— Merseyside Police (@MerseyPolice) December 31, 2017
The Mayor of Liverpool Joe Anderson tweeted: "Arena Car Park fire have been told everyone safe and no animals hurt seems a land rover went on fire on the 3rd level, horses on 1st the horses have been evacuated to Arena."
I’m down at the Arena now. This is a major incident with extensive damage to the car park. There will be no show tonight and the Fire and emergency services are working hard, so please stay clear and out of their way.
— Joe Anderson (@joeando58) December 31, 2017
The horse show began on Thursday and was due to end this evening.
In a statement, a spokesperson for Echo Arena said: "We regret to announce that the Liverpool International Horse Show has been cancelled tonight due to a serious fire in the multi storey car park on site."
