A TOTAL of £30,000 worth of damage was caused as 50 cars went up in flames at an Oswaldtwistle scrapyard last night .

Police are treating the blaze at Barnes scrapyard as arson and the owner is offering a £1,000 reward for information leading to the conviction of the firebugs.

Fire crews were called to Roe Greave Road shortly before 8pm after reports of thick black smoke pouring from the compound.

The blaze began after the yard had been locked up for the night. Three fire engines from Accrington and Oswaldtwistle were at the scene and it took firefighters an hour to put out the flames.

Accrington leading firefighter Alex Fletcher said: "The cars were all piled up on top of each other which made things more difficult.

"There were also some gas cylinders nearby which were a concern but we managed to control the fire before it reached them. The yard backs onto a residential area but the houses weren't in any danger."

A spokeswoman for Lancashire Police said: "It appears someone got into the yard and put a gas canister in the boot of a car. "They then spread accelerants around on the floor and on other cars and set it all on fire.

"A total of 50 cars and three cranes were damaged or destroyed and the damage is estimated at £30,000."

Owner Brian Barnes, who has owned the yard for 25 years, said: "They must have got in over the barbed wire and poured petrol on these cars to set them on fire. I've no idea why anyone would do this, or who did it.

"It's a big setback, but we'll get over it. I want to find out who has done this and I'll give £1,000 if anyone can tell us something which will lead to prosecution."

DS Jim Elston added: "We believe there was some preparation and planning behind the fire and we are currently trying to establish a motive.

"We are keen to hear from any member of the public with informtion regarding the offenders."

Anyone with information about the fire can contact Accrington Police on 01254 382141.

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