An overnight blaze in Co Down is being treated as 'deliberate ignition'.
The Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service were called to a fire involving 25 cars and a lorry in the Lansdowne Road area of Newtownards shortly after 3:20am this morning.
Four fire appliances were dispatched to the scene and firefighters wearing breathing apparatus used four hose reels and two jets to extinguish the fire.
Read more: Newtownards: PSNI appeal after reports of shots fired at property
This is the second such incident in recent weeks within the town with 17 cars having been set alight at a car repair shop on the Glenburn Road last month.
A NIFRS spokesperson said: "Firefighters were called to a fire involving 25 vehicles and a lorry on fire. Firefighters wore breathing apparatus and used four hose reels and two jets to extinguish the fire.
"NIFRS left the scene at 4.54am and the cause of the fire is believed to be deliberate ignition."
Detective Sergeant Shivers said: “At approximately 3.20am, we received a report that a number of vehicles had been set on fire at a car dealership.
“Officers along with colleagues from the Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service attended and the fire was extinguished.
“Approximately 25 cars and a trailer have been badly damaged in the blaze.
“We are investigating this as an incident of arson. This was a completely reckless attack which could have had serious consequences. Thankfully, no injuries have been reported.
“At the present time we are keeping an open mind as to the motivation behind this attack however a primary line of enquiry is that it is linked to the ongoing feud between rival drugs gangs across Ards and North Down.
“I would appeal to anyone who may have seen anyone suspicious in the area at the time of the fire or to anyone with dash-cam or CCTV footage that could assist with enquiries, to contact detectives on 101 quoting reference 108 of 18/04/23."
Anyone with any information about this incident or who may be able to help with the investigation, is asked to call detectives in Larne on the non-emergency number 101 quoting reference number 100 29/04/21, or to submit a report online using the non-emergency reporting form via http://www.psni.police.uk/makeareport/.
You can also contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or online at http://crimestoppers-uk.org/.
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