THE owner of a car-dismantling firm in Burnley is today counting the cost of a suspected arson attack at his scrapyard.

Police are investigating the incident after firecrews were called to Arch Street, near Active Way, at around 6am this morning.

The blaze destroyed 12 cars with flames licking into the roof of the garage.

Smoke billowed up to the railway track above the garage, causing police to alert Railtrack of the early-morning obstruction.

Officers said they were today checking CCTV which patrols the area after discovering a hole in a nearby fence.

The owner of T.B Motors, Ali Liad, 52, said the bill could run into thousands of pounds and added: "I am not insured so I think I've lost around £6,000.

"I was absoutely devestated when the police contacted me this morning. I was even more upset when I saw the damage.

"It's a family business. We are just trying to make an honest living but then something like this happens. We sell all the different parts of a car but now all these cars are worth is scrap.

"A hole has been cut in the fence for the offenders to get into the yard which we lock at night."

A police spokesman said: "We are treating the incident as a suspected arson. A number of inquiries will be made today."

Anybody with any information about the incident is asked to contact either Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 or police on 01282 425001.