A Newtownards car repair shop owner says he cannot understand why his business was targeted in a suspected arson attack which damaged 17 vehicles.
Multiple vehicles were reported to be on fire at an industrial complex on the Glenburn Road on Wednesday night, shortly before 10pm.
The devastating effect of the fires could be seen on Thursday morning, with 12 of the 17 vehicles beyond salvaging and the smell of fuel and smoke still in the air.
Read more: In pictures: 17 vehicles damaged in Newtownards blaze believed to be 'deliberate ignition'
Adam Ciesielski runs the Perfect Car Service business where the vehicles were damaged and was shocked that something like this could happen.
He said he and his staff had worked as normal on Wednesday night, with nothing out of the ordinary.
"We finished work at 9pm, and then we get the call at 9.50pm that the fire has happened," he said.
"So basically like it must be someone waiting while we close, we go home and it just happens.
"We've never had a problem with customers, never complaints, no-one fights or argues with us or anything.
"That's why we are so busy and why so many cars are damaged, because we are very busy."
He said the impact on his business and his customers' lives would be pronounced..
"I'm not happy at all when you see 12 cars destroyed, someone has set them on fire and they got badly damaged," he added.
"You don't know what's going to happen now or why things like that happen.
"It's strange what happened, why would someone do that?".
One local man told Belfast Live he had heard bangs coming from the area last night, before seeing the fire service arriving at the scene at around 9.40pm.
A NIFRS spokesperson said: "Firefighters were called to 17 vehicles on fire. They wore breathing apparatus and used 4 jets to extinguish the fire.
"NIFRS left the scene at 10.43pm and the cause of the fire is believed to be deliberate ignition."
Motorists and pedestrians were advised by police to avoid the Glenburn Road area at the time of the incident, but the road has since reopened.
A PSNI spokesperson said: "Police are investigating following a fire at vehicle workshop in Newtownards at around 9.45pm last night, Wednesday 1 March.
"It's thought the blaze, which significantly damaged 11 vehicles, may have been started deliberately.
"Officers would like to hear from witnesses or anyone with information. They can be contacted by calling 101, quoting reference 2025 01/03/23."
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