Hero taxi driver 'saves lives after waking neighbours' as fire ripped through businesses
A hero taxi driver reportedly saved the lives of strangers after he alerted them to a fire ripping through businesses below where they live.
Emergency services raced to Walton Road this morning, at around 5am, as a fire tore through furniture stores.
A taxi driver driving past the blaze reportedly dialled 999 before selflessly trying to wake up those who live above the businesses.
Merseyside Fire Service said "all people were accounted for" and all residents were thankfully evacuated in time.
Footage from the scene shows the devastating fire burning inside the buildings this morning, as smoke was seen billowing down the road.
Roof tiles were seen strewn all over the road this morning, as firefighters worked at the scene.
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Home Decor, family run business, which has been in the community for 15 years, were one of three businesses affected.
Owners Stanley Richards, 73, and Rebecca Richards, 35 said the business had suffered terrible damage.
Co-owner Rebecca said they were "lucky" compared to their neighbours, as they had only suffered flood damage and because of the wind fortunately blowing in the other direction, their business didn't suffer as much fire damage.
Rebecca told the ECHO : "My husband was driving past, going to work, and he rang me to say there were fire engines and police outside. We just flew out the door to try and come here.
"I've been told a taxi driver pulled over and notified the people inside, who were in there while the building was on fire.
"For us, we've been massively blessed If the fire had of blown this way, it's a wallpaper and paint shop - it would have blown the street up. It's oil-based paint, imagine what could have happened.
"In all of it, we've been massively lucky. Thank God it blew the other way."
Stanley Richards said "I was here at 7.45am. There's water that's come through from the adjacent building into ours. With the loss of business as it is, we're lucky to be here.
"We've just got water damage on one side, but I'm frightened about the floor because all the water's come underneath the floor.
"We assumed it was reported by McDonald's staff [opposite] because they're open very early."
Mr Richards added it was "important" to know about the driver's heroic actions today.
Businesses Walton Bed Centre and RKR Products were also damaged during the fire.
Workers at Farmfoods, opposite the furniture store, said they arrived at work at 7am but were unable to open as the buildings opposite were well alight.
Walton Road was closed as emergency services worked at the scene, as Farm Foods reopened at 9am.
The workers in the store added it was such a shame for the businesses affected, as they have been closed during lockdown before their stock was damaged today.
Merseyside Fire Service left the scene at around 11am.
A statement from the force read: "Fire crews were called to an incident this morning in Walton Road. Crews were alerted at 5.12am and on scene at 5.17am after reports of smoke coming from the building.
"On arrival, crews found residential accommodation above retail premises alight.
"Six fire engines and a combined platform ladder were in attendance.
"Firefighters wearing breathing apparatus fought the fire using a main branch and high pressure hose reel and the aerial appliance worked on the roof space.
"Neighbouring properties were evacuated.
"Walton Road was closed by police, who were also on scene, at the junction with Spellow Lane in the city centre direction.
"All persons were accounted for.
"Firefighters removed roof slates of the building to check for fire spread and to ensure that the fire is fully extinguished. Crews were given access to the shops below to check for any fire spread.
"While checking for hot spots, crews found fire spread between floorboards on the second floor and were dealing with this."
Merseyside Police said "it is unknown how the fire started and enquiries are ongoing to establish the full circumstances".
Detective Sergeant Samantha Davies said: “We are in the early stages of an investigation into how the fire was started.
“Thankfully nobody was hurt during the incident and MFRS extinguished the blaze, but this incident will have had a significant impact on local residents and businesses.
“I would ask anyone who was in the Walton Road area in the early hours of this morning who may have any information on this to come forward as any information you hold could be vital to our investigation.”
Anyone in the area with information about the incident, CCTV or dashcam footage can contact us on Twitter @MerPolCC or Facebook ‘Merseyside Police Contact Centre’ with reference 21000191977.
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