A TERRORIST ordered a taxi to a hospital carrying a homemade bomb before it suddenly exploded killing him and injuring the cabbie, police said today.

(VIDEO)Liverpool hospital taxi explosion, Remembrance day car bomb

 Armed police swooped on Liverpool Women’s Hospital just before 11am yesterday after the blast in a car park.

1Counter-terrorism officers are investigating a car blast at a hospitalCredit: Getty

Assistant Chief Constable Russ Jackson confirmed four arrests have been madeCredit: PA

Police confirmed today the horror is being treated as a terror incident.

Three suspects – aged 29, 26 & 21 – were arrested yesterday under the Terrorism Act.

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What we know so far...

• A terrorist was killed and taxi driver injured in a car bomb blast at Liverpool Women’s Hospital yesterday

• Hero cabbie Dave Perry locked the passenger in the taxi to prevent further disaster

• The horror is being treated as a terrorist incident but the motive is unclear

• Four people have been arrested on suspicion of terror offences

• The bomb was homemade and manufactured ‘by the passenger in the taxi.

  It was confirmed a fourth man, 20, was held today by officers with all four suspects to be quizzed by counter-terrorism officers this afternoon.

He then asked to be taken to Liverpool Women’s Hospital, which is around ten minutes away.

As the taxi approached the hospital, the explosion tore through the car and engulfed it in a fireball – killing him and injuring cabbie Dave Perry.

Police believe they know his identify but no details have been released.

 Officers are still trying to establish a motive for the terror blast and said the investigation is “continuing at pace”.

ACC Jackson said they “cannot at this time draw any connection” with Remembrance Sunday events nearby but confirmed it is a line of inquiry.

🔵 Read our Liverpool explosion live blog for the latest updates

The officer added: “Remarkably, the taxi driver, escaped from the cab. He has been treated for the injuries he sustained and has now been released from hospital.

“Emergency services quickly attended the scene and Merseyside Fire and Rescue put out the fire following which it quickly became apparent that the passenger remained in the vehicle and was deceased.

“It is not clear what the motivation for this incident is.

“Our enquiries indicate that an improvised explosive device has been manufactured and our assumption so far is that this was built by the passenger in the taxi.

“The reason why he then took it to the Women’s Hospital is unknown, as is the reason for its sudden explosion.

“Although, the motivation for this incident is yet to be understood, given all the circumstances, it has been declared a terrorist incident and Counter Terrorism Policing are continuing with the investigation.”

The officer confirmed two addresses in the city have been searched as a result of the investigation.

Three of the suspects were arrested yesterday at Sutcliffe Street in the Kensington area of Liverpool, while today’s arrest was made in the same area.

Cops have found “significant items” at a home searched in Rutland Avenue with eight families living nearby evacuated.

Merseyside Chief Constable Serena Kennedy said: “There is no specific threat to the area, but I have asked for patrols to be increased right across Merseyside.”

She also urged people to “remain calm” but “vigilant and alert”.

BOMB BLAST

Dramatic pictures showed the car on fire just inches from the main entrance to the hospital, where 30 babies are born each day.

Shocking footage also revealed the moment the taxi exploded in a fireball just seconds after pulling up outside the hospital.

Hero cabbie Dave Perry was injured after he leapt from the burning taxi and locked the suspect in the back.

His brave actions meant the male passenger carrying the bomb was the only person killed.

The suspected terrorist had asked Dave to drive him to the cathedral where 1,200 people had gathered for services to remember fallen soldiers.

But he changed his mind and instead wanted to be taken to the hospital, it is reported.

Dad-of-two Dave has been released from hospital and is now recovering at home.

Boris Johnson today praised the cabbie, saying he acted with “incredible presence of mind and bravery”.

TERROR PROBE

Staff were forced to evacuate some patients after the blast and transfer them to other hospitals as the Army bomb squad sealed off the area.

Home Secretary Priti Patel said she is “being kept regularly updated” on the terror probe.

Liverpool Women’s Hospital announced visiting access is restricted “until further notice” and patients will be sent to other medical facilities “where possible”.

A spokesperson said staff will be reviewing “patient activity for the next 24 to 48 hours” and assured support is available for anyone impacted by the incident.

Liverpool Women’s Hospital featured on hit Channel 4 series One Born Every Minute and sees 500,000 patients a year.

The hospital — where Coleen Rooney gave birth to her four sons — has around 1,350 staff who work there.

Anyone with information can call police on 0161 856 1027 quoting Liverpool Womens Hospital incident.