Hundreds of vehicles destroyed and 80 horses evacuated as blaze engulfs multi-storey car park at equestrian show after ex-England footballer Mark Wright's wife witnesses a vehicle EXPLODING

• e-mail

A massive fire has destroyed all cars in a 1,600 capacity multi-storey car park next to Liverpool's Echo Arena.

The Liverpool International Horse Show was cancelled as firefighters tackled the huge blaze next to the venue on the city's waterfront.

Up to 80 horses were evacuated and an evening session of the show was cancelled as firefighters tackled the blaze at the building at Kings Dock on Sunday evening.

Former footballer Mark Wright's family were caught up in the fire after a car exploded into flames as they were making their way out of the car park. 

Merseyside Police said: 'Initial investigations indicate that an accidental fire within a vehicle caused other cars to ignite.

'We believe that all vehicles parked in the car park have been destroyed and advise owners to contact their insurance companies.'

No-one has been seriously injured, the force said.   

Scroll down for video 

A massive fire has destroyed all cars in a 1,600 capacity multi-storey car park next to Liverpool's Echo Arena

Merseyside Police said initial investigations indicate an accidental fire in a vehicle caused other cars to ignite

Former footballer Mark Wright's family were caught up in a fire that broke out in a multi-storey car park next to the Echo Arena

A horse show was cancelled as firefighters tackle vehicles ablaze at a multi-storey car park next to the Liverpool Echo Arena

The evening session of the Liverpool International Horse Show was cancelled after around 80 horses were evacuated safely

Sue Wright, wife of former England footballer Mark Wright, took this picture after a car exploded on the car park's third level 

A spokeswoman for Mersey Fire and Rescue Service later confirmed there were no reports of any casualties and crews were still battling to get the blaze under control with 12 engines at the scene along with two aerial appliances.

She said the blaze started on level three of the seven-storey car park, with multiple cars ablaze and it had affected that level and one above.

Sue Wright, the wife of former England footballer Mark, told MailOnline that she was in a car with her husband and six children – their 12-year-old daughter, her two friends and the couple's three foster children – when a nearby vehicle exploded into flames. 

She said the blaze started as a small engine fire in a Land Rover on the car park's third floor but then quickly spread.

'It was an old car that exploded as we were leaving the building. We were in our minibus and one of the kids shouted, 'there's a fire!'

She added that a number of cars exploded after the first one and she fears that her family's vehicle may be one of them.

'The cars were just popping every couple of seconds,' she said.

'We've lost everything because our car was right next to the car that exploded. My handbag was in it, our cards, cash, everything. We just grabbed the keys and ran.'

Mrs Wright said that her husband ran the children to safety down a fire escape, while she called 999 and stayed to help evacuate the horses.

Sue Wright, the wife of former England captain Mark, told MailOnline that she was in a car with her husband and six children when a nearby car exploded 

Vehicles burn during a blaze at a multi-storey car park at the Echo Arena on Liverpool's waterfront on New Year's Eve

No-one is believed to have been hurt and it is not yet known how many cars have been damaged in the fire 

A horse is led away during the Liverpool International Horse Show held at the Echo Arena following a blaze at a  car park

A motorist took pictures of the scene as horses were evacuated from stables in the ground floor of the multi-storey car park

Flames engulfed a number of vehicles next to the venue on Sunday, with 12 fire engines called to the building at King's Dock

'The children were very upset. They were crying because they saw me go back inside the building,' she said.

She said around 80 horses that were stabled in the car park's ground floor were evacuated.

'Getting the horses out was the biggest issue,' she said.

'I kept asking the officer in charge about releasing the horses, and eventually I went in and told the stable hands to get the horses out.'

She added: 'All the horses had stable hands who were just waiting for instructions. 

'The horses were getting stressed, so I just told the stable hands to get the horses bridled and walk them out.'

Mrs Wright added: 'It's a real shame because it's a magnificent show, I know the organisers. We hope it comes back to Liverpool next year.

'It was just a freak accident that quickly spread.'

Sue Wright said the blaze started as a small engine fire in a Land Rover on the car park's third floor but then quickly spread

An evening session of the Liverpool International Horse Show was cancelled as firefighters tackle cars ablaze in the car park

The area was evacuated along with some apartments nearby due to smoke billowing from the blaze near the Echo Arena

Merseyside Police advised members of the public to stay away from the area and traffic restrictions are currently in place 

Emergency services at the scene of a blaze at a multi-storey car park at the Echo Arena on Liverpool's waterfront

Around 4,000 people were expected for the evening show, but at least two or three levels of the car park appeared well alight

A total of 12 fire engines are at the building at King's Dock in Liverpool's city centre after a blaze broke out just after 4.30pm

No-one is believed to have been hurt and it is not yet known how many cars have been damaged

Merseyside Police said 'a number' of vehicles are on fire and nearby apartments have been evacuated due to smoke billowing from the blaze

Kevin Booth described listening to the 'very scary' bangs of cars exploding in the Liverpool car park fire, knowing that his new vehicle was going up in flames.

Mr Booth, 44, took his wife Julie and 16-year-old daughter Holly to Liverpool to see the horse show as a treat.

'We've had a nightmare few months and we wanted to cheer ourselves up', he said.

Mr Booth, from Manchester, left the six-month-old Fiat 500 X in the Echo Arena car park just after 1pm.

Later in the afternoon at 4.45pm he was informed by staff at the arena that there was a small fire which was under control.

His family was shortly after evacuated to the nearby Hilton hotel where they waited on the first floor.

'The flames and the smoke was unbelievable' Mr Booth said.

'People were saying that they would just wait and get their cars back. I thought, 'Have you seen the fire? Are you joking?''

After that the family returned to the Jurys Inn Hotel where they had booked to stay overnight.

From there they were able to see and hear the fire.

'It was frightening, we could hear the bangs of car windows exploding,' he said

'The staff in the Jurys Inn were amazing, very British just getting on with it, when honestly it was very scary.

'There were a couple of kids sat there crying because of the loud bangs.'

The area was evacuated after a fire involving a number of vehicles in a car park was reported 

Credit: Facebook/ Michele Cooper   

Luckily, his car is fully insured, so he will only need to pay the excess fee.

'There was a Porsche parked next to us, so it could always be worse', Mr Booth said. 

Ian Baker, 58, and his wife Lorraine, 60, parked their Ford Focus in the car park a couple of hours before the blaze began then went out to celebrate the new year on their two-day trip to Liverpool.

Mr Baker, a sales rep from Mansfield, said: 'We had a couple of drinks out then came back to the hotel for a meal and the waitress said there's a problem with a fire in the car park.

'We have sort of left it to the fire service, it's a sort of fait accompli, I can't do anything about it now.

'We are here for two nights so we will be able to get back by train.

'We come to Liverpool a couple of times a year, it's not what you expect.'

The couple's hotel is still open so unlike some they do have a bed for the night - but Mr Baker's Mansfield Town FC season ticket was also in the car.

Mrs Baker added: 'I would have been crying if it was my car but life could be much worse, it's only a car. By the sounds of it, they've all gone up in smoke.' 

The Liverpool International Horse Show (pictured) was cancelled after a fire broke out

Kerry Matthews, 54, a warehouseman and partner Patricia Heath, 55, an administrator, both from Wrexham, North Wales, were visiting Liverpool for the night to celebrate the New Year.

They parked up their Vauxhall Insignia around 2pm dropped their bags off at their hotel and went out for drinks before returning at 10.30pm.

Ms Heath said: 'We just thought it was the arena on fire. We thought we will go and have a look.

'A fireman said the whole car park is on fire. He said, 'What level is your car on?' We said six.

'He said, 'Well you best go and have a couple of drinks to celebrate new year because you're not going to get your car back'.'

Mr Matthews added: 'We will probably have to get the train back. If they are running.

'It's a car we can replace a car. There could have been people in those cars, it could have been a lot worse.'

Crews were first called at 4.42pm and were on scene eight minutes later.

Six fire engines were initially in attendance and crews, wearing breathing apparatus, are tackling the fire, Mersey Fire and Rescue Service said.

The area was evacuated along with some apartments nearby due to smoke billowing from the blaze. 

Merseyside Police advised members of the public to stay away from the area and traffic restrictions are currently in place.  

Merseyside Fire & Rescue Service was called to the car park at Kings Dock at 4.42pm 

Those attending the event shared posts online saying the show had been cancelled

A spokeswoman for the 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.

'All people and horses are safe and secure.

'We are working alongside the emergency services to ensure the fire is brought under control and to make the site safe as quickly as possible.

'Please note that there is no access to the ACC Liverpool site.

'We will provide regular updates when we can.'

In a tweet, mayor of Liverpool Joe Anderson said: '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. Will give more news about tonight ASAP.'  

The Echo Arena advised motorists with cars parked at the site not to go to the waterfront but to monitor social media for updates. 

The four-day equestrian event was due to finish with Sunday evening's show.

Around 4,000 people were expected for Sunday evening's show, but at least two or three levels of the car park appeared well alight, with periodic mini-explosions and flames shooting up the outside of the building.

Mr Anderson later tweeted: 'Anyone whose car was in the arena car park should go to the Galeria in the Exhibition centre. Council and arena staff will help with getting home or emergency accommodation.

'Big praise for our fire service who are working really hard at the car park.'