Three vehicles damaged in Oldbury arson attack

Arsonists set fire to three cars parked outside a shop in the early hours of New Year's Day.

Two cars were destroyed in the attack and another was damaged after they were set ablaze while on the car park of Halfords, in Birchfield Lane, Oldbury.

Flames took hold at around 6am yesterday. Firefighters arrived to find two of the vehicles engulfed. They used breathing apparatus to bring the fire under control within an hour.

An investigation has now been launched by police but it is believed the vehicles were set on fire deliberately.

Fire crews said it was thought an attempt had been made to break into the main building before the cars were set on fire.

The charred remains of the vehicles remained at the car park yesterday as scene of crime officers arrived to gather evidence.

Bosses at the store refused to comment on the fire until they had more information on what had happened.

Firefighter Tom Bayliss said: "This was a severe fire which left two of the cars destroyed.

"We were able to bring the blaze under control quickly and ensure the flames had not spread to other vehicles.

"We left the matter in the hands of the police."

Meanwhile, arsonists set fire to a pile of rubbish outside a house where a woman and three children were sleeping.

A man living nearby used a hose to try to tackle the flames himself after the blaze outside the home in Selbourne Road, Dudley, at 3.20am yesterday.

A woman and three children were in the house at the time and smoke started to enter the building. The woman and children were treated at the scene after breathing in fumes.