Emergency services were called to Liverpool city centre on Saturday afternoon after a car crashed into the front of a restaurant, causing a gas leak and prompting building evacuations.
Merseyside Police were called to North John Street at around 12.35pm to reports that a Peugeot had crashed into the front of Thai restaurant Tiger Rock. The driver remained at the scene to assist with enquiries.
Response and Casualties
Merseyside Fire and Rescue said they were called at 12.40pm, with two fire engines in attendance. Crews arrived to find the car had hit the front of the restaurant, with the driver already out of the vehicle. North West Ambulance Service assessed three people for minor injuries who had been inside the restaurant at the time of the collision.
The impact caused a gas leak, and multiple cordons were set up by firefighters and police while a structural engineer and a gas engineer were called to attend.
Evacuations and Road Closures
Neighbouring businesses were evacuated, and road closures were put in place at the junction of Castle Street and Harrington Street, Dale Street and North John Street, and the junction of North John Street and Lord Street while emergency services dealt with the incident.
The owner of Johnny Goggles opticians on North John Street said a police officer knocked on the door and told him to evacuate the shop because of the incident. He shut up shop, put the shutters and alarm on and sent staff home. He said the emergency services arrived quickly and that it was "really reassuring."
Police Statement and Ongoing Operation
A Merseyside Police spokesperson said: "We can confirm that emergency services are in Liverpool city centre following a collision this afternoon, Saturday 7 November. At around 12.35pm, we were called to North John Street to reports of a Peugeot car in collision with the window of Tiger Rock Restaurant. The driver stayed at the scene to assist with enquiries. There is no indication that this was a deliberate act. A member of the public in the restaurant sustained a slight injury and will be assessed."
The spokesperson added: "Anyone who witnessed the incident is asked to contact @MerPolCC on Facebook or X, or by calling 101 with reference 392."
A Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service spokesperson said crews were alerted at 12.40pm and on scene four minutes later. They noted a multi-agency meeting had taken place between the fire service, police and ambulance service, adding: "The incident is ongoing; please avoid the area."
In a later update, they said the North West Ambulance Hazardous Area Response Team and other personnel had been released, and a structural engineer had advised that the damage had not compromised the building's structural integrity. A Cadent gas engineer capped the leak, police cordons were reduced to North John Street between Victoria and Harrington Street, and fire crews left the scene in the hands of Merseyside Police.
