A fire has destroyed all the vehicles in a 1,600-capacity multi-storey car park in Liverpool, police have said.

Firefighters wearing breathing apparatus and 21 fire engines arrived at the scene on King's Dock to battle the blaze, which broke out between 4 and 5pm on Sunday.

Police said they believed an accidental fire in one car had spread rapidly to other vehicles. Nearby apartments were evacuated because of thick smoke in the area.

A horse show scheduled to take place the arena next to the car park was cancelled following the fire and nearby racecourse Aintree opened up 20 stables to look after animals moved from scene.

Former Liverpool footballer questions why Echo Arena car park fire was able to spread

Mayor of Liverpool Joe Anderson said everyone was safe and no animals involved in the nearby show had been hurt.

Video posted to social media showed flames raging on an upper floor of the car park and an outside staircase.

This is the scene from the side of the car park as the fire rages on and spreads to more floors pic.twitter.com/f9WBta8lhj — Jenny Kirkham (@PJ_Kirkham) December 31, 2017

Twitter user Colin Creed said in a post: “Trapped in the Echo Arena. Big fire in the car park, and the horses have been brought in to the now smoky arena. Hopefully get home by midnight!”

Olly Harrison, an eyewitness, told BBC news he saw white smoke followed by black smoke and heard a series of “loud bangs”. He speculated the noises were the sounds of tyres and fuel tanks exploding.

He tweeted: “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.”

Police advised members of the public to stay away from the area and traffic restrictions were put in place.

An area spokesperson 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.”

Liverpool car park fire: in pictures Show all 13 1 /13 Liverpool car park fire: in pictures Liverpool car park fire: in pictures A fire in a multi-storey car park in Liverpool has destroyed all vehicles within it Sky News Liverpool car park fire: in pictures The car park, near the Echo Arena, had a 1,600-capacity AFP/Getty Liverpool car park fire: in pictures Sue Wright, wife of former England footballer Mark, took this image during the blaze. She said it was sparked by an engine fire in an old Land Rover PA Liverpool car park fire: in pictures A large amount of damage has been caused by the blaze Sky News Liverpool car park fire: in pictures 21 fire engines arrived at the scene on King's Dock to battle the blaze, which broke out between 4 and 5pm on Sunday PA Liverpool car park fire: in pictures Vehicles burn during the blaze PA Liverpool car park fire: in pictures Nearby apartments had to be evacuated because of thick smoke surrounding the area Mike Quek/PA Liverpool car park fire: in pictures A close up of the flames PA Liverpool car park fire: in pictures A horse show scheduled to take place the arena next to the car park was cancelled following the fire and nearby racecourse Aintree opened up 20 stables to look after animals moved from scene PA Liverpool car park fire: in pictures Mayor of Liverpool Joe Anderson said everyone was safe and no animals involved in the nearby show had been hurt PA Liverpool car park fire: in pictures Burned out shells of cars REUTERS Liverpool car park fire: in pictures Police advised members of the public to stay away from the area and traffic restrictions were put in place PA Liverpool car park fire: in pictures 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 PA

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.

Mayor of Liverpool said everyone was safe and no animals involved in the nearby show were hurt (PA) (Peter Byrne/PA)

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.”