13/08/2002

Garage forecourt blaze destroys sixteen cars

A blaze at garage forecourt in County Londonderry has destroyed sixteen cars.

The fire, said to be malicious, was discovered at around 1am in the early hours of Tuesday morning in Main Street, Garvagh.

Police believe the fire was started deliberately, however, the manager of the car sales business, Patrick Reilly said there was no indication as to why his business had been targeted.

Mr Reilly said business would continue as normal having been established in the town for 25 years and said that he felt all sides of the community would back him in condemning the attack.

Fire crews who tackled the blaze said the flames reached up to 30 feet in the air and had come close to taking hold of the adjoining filling station.

(MB)

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