Liverpool city centre restaurant crash causes gas leak and building evacuations

Emergency services evacuated multiple buildings in Liverpool city centre after a car crashed into a popular restaurant and ruptured a gas pipe. The collision occurred at around 10:15 am when a Peugeot vehicle ploughed into the front of the Tiger Rock Restaurant on North John Street. Three people who were inside the premises at the time sustained minor injuries and were treated at the scene by paramedics. Merseyside Police confirmed that the driver remained at the location following the impact and that there is no indication the crash was a deliberate act. Because the collision damaged a gas main, firefighters and police swiftly set up a safety cordon, closed surrounding roads including North John Street and Victoria Street, and evacuated neighbouring businesses and flats as a precaution. Specialist gas engineers were deployed to isolate the supply and repair the ruptured pipe before the area could be declared safe. Commuters and shoppers were advised to avoid the vicinity for several hours while structural assessments and clean-up operations took place. Roads were eventually reopened later in the afternoon once engineers confirmed the leak was completely contained.