The charred remains of a Peugeot 306 in the compound belonging to Rangers Garage in Durrington. DA40602P1GARAGE proprietor Michael Ranger is offering a £1,000 reward after arsonists torched a car parked in a compound in Durrington in the early hours of Sunday

Damage estimated at more than £70,000 was caused in the attack.

Only the prompt action of a local resident, who raised the alarm, and the efficiency of firefighters prevented a major incident - for parked in the compound in Bulford Road, belonging to Rangers Garage, were about 30 cars.

Six of them - new and second-hand Peugeot cars - were damaged.

The first car set on fire was completely destroyed, three others have been written off and two remain badly damaged.

The remaining 24 cars were saved because firefighters quickly brought the fire under control.

Detective Constable Alison Wiles, of Amesbury CID, told the Journal the fire was certainly started deliberately.

However, police were not sure whether the first car was set alight maliciously or whether those responsible had tried to steal it and, having no luck, set it on fire to make sure no incriminating evidence had been left behind.

WDC Wiles said: "Either way, it was fortunate indeed that there was not more damage.

"The compound in Bulford Road is surrounded by flats and homes.

"Once the alarm was raised, firefighters were quickly on the scene and soon had the blaze under control, thus preventing what could have been a major disaster."

Police believe those responsible are probably local to the area, because the compound is in a fairly remote place and not easily visible.

The blaze broke out between 2.45am and 2.50am on Sunday.

The compound lies behind Sylvan House and is used by Rangers as an overflow car park.

No one was hurt in the incident and, although the blaze created a lot of smoke, no one had to be evacuated from surrounding properties.

Mr Ranger said on Monday that the 30 or so cars parked in the compound were new or nearly new Peugeots.

He said the two damaged cars might be repairable, depending on what insurance assessors said.

He said he was prepared to offer a reward for information that led to the arrest and conviction of the person or persons responsible.