By John Connell and Pamela McGowan

Last updated at 10:47, Monday, 07 May 2012

An arson investigation is underway after a fire destroyed six vehicles and almost spread to nearby buildings.

Vehicles were destroyed at Goode Garage, near Longtown

The blaze broke out shortly after 9.30pm on Friday evening at Goode Garage in Sandysike, near Longtown.

Six vehicles, including a wagon, cars and a camper van, were completely burned out. It is believed the blaze started in one car and spread to those nearby.

The fire almost spread to the garage building, but the alarm was raised just in time. It was so intense that paint had melted off the cars and there was nothing left of many of the vehicle tyres.

Firefighters took three hours to put the fire out and doused nearby buildings to stop it spreading.

Because the fire had started under an overhead power line, workmen from United Utilities cut the electricity supply to ensure the safety of the firefighters as they worked to extinguish the blaze.

Carlisle Fire Station manager George Sansom, who was at the scene, said: “It was a substantial blaze and we feared that it was going to to spread through the building.”

“We are not sure how it started. Crime scene investigators have been looking at what happened.”

Police have now confirmed that they are investigating it a possible arson attack. Crime scene investigators were trawling the scene for evidence on Saturday. Michael Day, who owns the garage building but rents it out to a tenant, said he believed they were lucky it didn’t spread to the property.

“A man up the road apparently raised the alarm. If he hadn’t the whole thing might have gone up,” he said.

A neighbouring businessman said he was “concerned” about the incident.

He added that there had been break-ins in the past but nothing recently.

First published at 09:12, Monday, 07 May 2012
Published by http://www.newsandstar.co.uk