Arson suspected over £30,000 garage blaze

The blaze was started on the forecourt of Dorant 4x4 Ltd, Reeth Bridge, Reeth, near Richmond, North Yorkshire, in the early hours of yesterday morning.

Firefighters from Reeth and Richmond rushed to the scene, but the blaze destroyed a Nissan X-Trail, two Land Rover Discoveries, and a Land Rover Freelander.

Yesterday the garage owner, who declined to be named, said: "The first thing I knew about it was when I got a knock on the door at 4am.

"Four vehicles have been destroyed and it will cost between 25,000 and 30,000. I'm still in shock at the whole situation."

North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service are investigating the blaze and say they believe the cause to be deliberate.

A spokeswoman said: "We received a call at 2.15am to a fire on a garage forecourt at Reeth Bridge, Reeth, and appliances from Reeth and Richmond attended at 2.21am and stayed until 3.32am.

"There were multiple vehicle fires on the forecourt, it started in a Nissan X-Trail before spreading to the other cars. The cause is believed to be deliberate.

"Firefighters used breathing apparatus a pump and lighting to help tackle the blaze."