A smouldering cigarette is one theory behind a dramatic fire which gutted a council road sweeper vehicle this morning.
Our video footage and pictures show fire-fighters extinguishing the blaze which saw the fire rip through the vehicle around 8am as it was being used on a city centre round this morning.
A fire crew can be seen spraying water on the charred Johnston sweeper vehicle on Vauxhall Road opposite the Vauxhall Vaults pub.
Today Liverpool council confirmed the vehicle was part of the Liverpool Street Scene Limited fleet - the local authority's street cleaning department.
A spokesman said neither the driver of the vehicle nor his colleague who was sweeping debris and rubbish alongside the sweeper vehicle were hurt - but the driver has gone to a walk-in-centre as a precaution in case of any smoke inhalation.
He added that the vehicle had been on the streets since 4am and would have been full of rubbish at the time of the blaze.
And one theory is that it inadvertently sucked up a smouldering cigarette which could have caused the fire.
The council have been using the vehicles for seven years and said it was the first known fire.
A Liverpool council spokesman told the ECHO: "One possible theory is that it swept up a smouldering cigarette. It was being used on a 4am shift so would have been full of rubbish and due to the volume it would have spread very quickly once it took hold."
He added: "It's a two man job, one driver and another person walking alongside the vehicle sweeping debris and rubbish in its directiion.
"Both members of staff are fine but as a precaution the driver went to a walk-in-centre to be checked over for any smoke inhalation."
The fire crew were still at the scene using high-powered hoses at 9am today.
