Fire crews evacuate 30 people from their cars after Wallasey tunnel fire

Dec 29 2012 Eleanor Barlow

WALLASEY tunnel had to be evacuated after a lorry burst into flames.

Fire crews were called to the Kingsway Tunnel, which runs from Wallasey to Liverpool, at about 2.30pm yesterday after reports the cab of a lorry was on fire.

Six fire engines were sent to the scene and people were asked to leave their cars before being led out of the tunnel through the emergency refuges by fire crews. About 30 people were evacuated and three were treated by paramedics at the scene for minor injuries.

Director of integrated transport for Merseytravel Alan Stillwell said the fire had started in a lorry in the Kingsway Tunnel in the northbound carriageway, which heads towards Liverpool.

He said: “Standard evacuation procedures were followed and the tunnel was closed.”

He said smoke was issuing from the ventilation shaft on the Liverpool side.

The tunnel was closed in both directions after the fire.

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