Armed police have reportedly raided a house in Liverpool after one person died following a taxi explosion outside the city's Women's Hospital.
A spokesperson for North West Counter Terrorism Unit has confirmed that an armed police incident in south Liverpool is connected to the taxi explosion outside the Liverpool Women's Hospital on Sunday morning.
In a statement to the Liverpool Echo the force said: "Police activity on Rutland Avenue is connected to an earlier incident at Liverpool Women's Hospital."
Emergency services were called to the Liverpool Women's Hospital at 10.59am today after reports of a car on fire.
Merseyside Police have since confirmed one person was killed and another injured when flames engulfed a taxi outside the entrance.
Detectives said in an update this afternoon they are keeping an open mind as to the cause of the incident.
It has not been declared a terrorist incident at this stage but out of caution counter terrorism police will be leading the investigation.
Liverpool Women's Hospital remains cordoned off by emergency services and is closed to all visitors.
A woman who lives on Rutland Avenue, near Sefton Park, said she was ordered back into her home by armed police.
She became aware of a police incident on the street when a relative went to leave the home at around 3pm, but was sent back inside by police.
She said the situation was ‘alarming’, particularly as it was going dark and those living on the street were unclear what was happening.
A statement released by Merseyside Police says: "We can confirm that at 10.59am today (Sunday, 14 November) police were called to reports of a car explosion at the Women's Hospital in Liverpool city centre.
"Police immediately attended, along with Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service and the North West Regional Ambulance Service.
"Unfortunately, we can confirm that one person has died and another has been taken to hospital where he is being treated for his injuries, which thankfully are not life threatening.
"So far we understand that the car involved was a taxi which pulled up at the hospital shortly before the explosion occurred.
"Work is still going on to establish what has happened, and could take some time before we are in a position to confirm anything.
"We are keeping an open mind as to what caused the explosion but given how it has happened, out of caution, Counter Terrorism Police are leading the investigation supported by Merseyside Police."
