The cause of a 'massive explosion' in Huyton that shook house across Merseyside was confirmed tonight.
Shortly after 8.30pm on Tuesday night, people in Knowsley began making reports of a loud bang and a flash of light over their homes.
A number of bright flashes lit up the night sky, with some residents taking to social media to say they could "feel" the force of the blast.
The sound could be heard over a wide area, including Prescot, Whiston, Rainhill, and St Helens.
ECHO readers managed to narrow down the area of where the explosion had come from to Tarbock Woods with police and fire crews arriving just minutes after the explosion was heard.
One witness said: "Massive orange flash could be seen about the houses here in Prescot centre. Then a bang a few seconds later."
Video footage showed how a bright flash filled the sky for a quick second before a huge rumble can be heard a few seconds later.
Emergency services raced to the source of the blast, thought to be Tarbock Woods, and a cordon was set up.
Merseyside Police confirmed a short time later that there had been a large fire in the middle of the wooded area.
It is believed that the explosion was caused by a group of children throwing gas cannisters or aerosol cans onto the blaze.
Thankfully, there are no reports of anyone being injured in the explosion and the fire was quickly brought under control by fire crews.
Merseyside Fire & Rescue Service confirmed that one fire engine was sent to the scene in Coney Lane, off Tarbock Road, where a bonfire made up of a quantity of wood had been set alight.
A spokesperson said: "The explosions might have been caused by products being thrown onto the fire."
The fire was extinguished shortly before 10pm.
After the fire was extinguished, images of scorched earth were shared on social media.
Paul Abernethy was just one of the people to take to social media after hearing the explosion.
He said: "Heard a big explosion in Huyton about 20 mins ago, the walls shook and everything.
"Not sure what has happened, hope people are ok."
Nico added: "Big flash and massive explosion somewhere in Huyton there!
"Hope no one is hurt."
