Four men in their 20s have died after a car crash in Merseyside in the early hours of Friday.

Police were called just before 2am to reports that a black Seat Cupra had left the road and collided with a lamp-post in Huyton. The car was travelling from Liverpool towards Knowsley.

Emergency services attended the scene, where four men – two of whom were aged 23 and the others 24 and 26 – were pronounced dead. A 27-year-old man, who was also in the car, was taken to hospital, where he remained in a stable condition, the force said.

A resident in Huyton told the Liverpool Echo she was woken up by the crash. Her daughter, who was still awake at the time, said: “The bang was so loud, I thought a lorry had overturned … I looked outside my window and there was smoke everywhere.”

The mother added: “We went outside after and police were telling everyone to stay back. It was so awful, it looks so bad there’s debris everywhere. It’s sad. Really terrifying.”

Another resident told the BBC there was a “strong smell of petrol” in the area afterwards.

Eleven roads were closed off while officers investigated the collision and they were expected to remain shut over the weekend. A temporary flight-restriction zone, affecting drones, was also put in place above Liverpool Road.

Merseyside police have appealed for witnesses and information. Supt Paul Holden said: “This is a truly devastating moment for their families and loved ones, and it is now our priority to get answers for them on how the collision occurred.

“We know this happened very early this morning, but if anyone saw what happened or were driving through the area just before the incident occurred, then please get in touch.

“Similarly, if you live in the area and have doorbell footage of the black Seat Cupra or the incident itself, please contact us. You may have information or footage that would be useful to our investigation.”