UP TO 100 cars were destroyed and a cloud of toxic smoke was released after a suspected arson attack on a Lancaster scrapyard.

A fire started at Lancaster Auto Salvage on the Lune industrial estate between 4.30pm and 7.17pm on Wednesday night.

Fire-fighters arrived to discover separate blazes affecting two of the three piles of scrapped cars.

Between 80 and 100 vehicles were affected, causing damage estimated at thousands of pounds.

Police and fire officers from the county's Arson Reduction Team (ART) visited the site on Thursday and are carrying out an investigation and will also report to the Environment Agency.

ART's Rick Percival said that the cloud of smoke caused by the fire contained several potentially dangerous substances as a result of the cars being set alight.

He called for the public to help in identifying those responsible.

He added: "Obviously, this fire affects the community because the resources of the community are used in large incidents like this, so they cannot carry out firefighting duties in other areas.

Those duties have to be carried out by fire crews from elsewhere.

"The noxious smoke could have gone towards the Marsh estate, though, fortunately, it all ended up over the river."

Det Con Graham Jones, also a member of the ART, added: "The smoke is extremely noxious.

These fires give off thick, black, carbonated smoke."

The number of scrapyard fires across Lancashire have risen by 43 per cent in the past year.

A similar incident struck Ken Allen's of Northgate, Morecambe, last year.

The ART says most scrapyard owners already have secure sights, and are being contacted.

Anyone needing further advice should contact their local crime prevention officer.

Det Sgt Mark Salisbury of Lancaster police said officer were keeping an open mind on the motives behind the latest arson attack.

Police are now searching for two men who were seen running away from the scrapyard at around the time of the fire.

The men are described as white, in their late 20s and wearing dark clothing.

Anyone with any information is asked to contact the confidential Crimestoppers line on 0800555111.