Residents have described a scene “like a warzone” after a night when a dozen car fires were reported around Dorset.
The vehicles were set alight in the early hours of Monday across three areas of the southwest English county.
Emergency services were called to the scene of multiple fires in Broadstone, Wimborne and Merley between 1am and 3am.
A property was also affected by one fire.
Grant Stewart, a 33-year-old builder from Ferndown, described the scene as a “warzone” with people panicking and cars “banging”.
Mr Stewart said: “I was woken up by a bang and thought it was a car crash, looked out the window to see an orange glow and people running around.
“One person comes running to the scene to wake up one of the owners of the car and their car was on fire.
“I went out to find it was like a warzone with three cars ablaze and bangs going off.”
Be the first to get Breaking News
Install the Sky News app for free
Dorset Police are now probing to “identify those responsible” for the fires as Dorset and Wiltshire Fire and Rescue aid with their investigation.
Detective Sergeant Simon Austin, of County CID, said: “These incidents have affected a large number of victims in the wider Wimborne area and we are aware that this will cause concern.
“I would like to reassure our local communities that officers are currently investigating all reported incidents and are making every effort to identify those responsible.”
Read more:
British expat accused of wife’s murder in Cyprus tells court she ‘begged him’ to help her die
Star Wars: Filming for second TV series Andor cancelled amid risk of landslips and rockfalls
Police are to make door-to-door enquiries too.
Those in the affected areas with CCTV cameras on their houses or dashcams are also being encouraged to help in their investigation.
Witnesses of the incidents or any suspicious activity on the streets are being urged to come forward too.
