EIGHTY scrap cars caught fire in a suspected arson attack on a Poole scrapyard.

Six fire engines were sent to the Nuffield Industrial Estate as acrid black smoke engulfed the area.

The fire broke out at a vehicle recycling site belonging to W&S Auto Recycling shortly after 6pm on Saturday.

Six fire engines were sent from Poole, Redhill, Hamworthy, Westbourne and Wimborne to the site on Kennington Road.

Station Officer Tim Spring, of Redhill Park fire station, said crews had to deal with the risk of the fire spreading to adjoining premises.

He said: "There were several lorries parked on the site, some of which contained explosive cylinders and one or two explosions in the initial stages of the fire we believe to have originated in the vehicles."

He added: "The initial indications are that the fire was deliberately started by people trespassing on the site."

He said a worse fire had been averted because the W&S site was well organised, with inflammable materials kept well away from buildings.

"The fact that they had good housekeeping probably prevented them suffering a much more serious financial loss," he added.

Police officers visited the site yesterday morning and are conducting an inquiry into the blaze.

DC Trevor Hawkins of Poole CID said: "It caused a lot of damage. We are continuing our inquiries with an open mind.

"Investigations are being carried out by both the fire service and the police but the cause is not yet known.

"Leads are being followed up but we don't want to discuss what these are because they are quite specific."