Nine vehicles have been destroyed in an overnight arson attack at an industrial estate in Co Antrim.
The incident occurred in the Pennybridge Industrial Estate in Ballymena in the early hours of Wednesday.
It's understood nine vehicles a car repair business were damaged by the fire, which was reported to police shortly after 2am.
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The PSNI said officers want to hear from witnesses or anyone with footage of the area at the time to contact them
The Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service said two appliances from Ballymena fire station were involved in the operation.
Firefighters using breathing apparatus extinguished the blaze and prevented it spreading to nearby buildings.
A NIFRS spokesperson said: "Two fire appliances from Ballymena Station attended an incident involving several cars on fire in the Pennybridge Industrial estate at 0210 hours this morning.
"Crews extinguished the fire and prevented spread to nearby buildings using breathing apparatus, two hose reel jets and a main jet."
SDLP councillor Eugene Reid has condemned the incident outside a local business, saying: “This has caused huge damage to a number of vehicles and given the scale of the arson attack and that it took place in a built-up area we’re lucky that this fire didn’t spread and nobody was seriously hurt or worse.
“At a time when people are already struggling this senseless damage will have a huge impact on this business and the owners of these vehicles.
“This is devastating news for them to wake up to today and I hope those affected will be able to recover quickly from this setback.
“I’d like to thank the fire service for their efforts in quickly and safely extinguishing this blaze and I’d ask anyone who knows anything about what took place here to come forward and help police with their investigation.”
DUP MLA for North Antrim Paul Frew added: "Thankful for the professionalism and speed of the Fire and Rescue service last night at the scene of the fire at Pennybridge Industrial Estate.
"Whilst fire undoubtedly brings destruction and devastation we can be thankful for their efforts that the fire did not spread into neighbouring properties and businesses.
"PSNI are currently at the scene and we hope that a full and thorough investigation by both PSNI and NIFRS can now take place."
A PSNI spokesperson said: "Investigating officers are keen to hear from witnesses or anyone with information or any persons who may have captured dashcam footage in and around the area at the time. Please call 101, quoting reference 126 08/06/22."
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