Overview
- Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service says crews arrived around 1:09 a.m. on New Year’s Day and extinguished the fire by 1:39 a.m.
- Initial assessments indicate a stray firework landed on a rear storage-shed roof and, aided by strong winds, ignited the back of the premises, with a full investigation ongoing.
- The rear of the bistro and garden were heavily damaged while the front remained intact, and the business is closed until further notice.
- No staff or customers were hurt, and one occupant from the flat above was led to safety and assessed for mild smoke inhalation, according to the fire service.
- A Crowdfunder launched to support employees and recovery costs not covered by insurance had raised more than £600 by Friday morning.