Arson attack hits pub landlord's cars

The fire destroyed a BMW and a Mercedes along with a nearby fence

An arson attack has destroyed two cars causing £100,000 worth of damage near a pub in North Yorkshire.

Fire crews were called to the incident in a car park in Thirsk's Market Place at 01:46 BST on Monday. Fire officers said the blaze destroyed a nearby fence along with a BMW and Mercedes.

Dan Lishman, who runs the Royal Oak in the Market Place, said the cars belonged to him and his partner and had been parked a short distance from the business.

North Yorkshire Police said they had begun an arson investigation and officers have appealed for anyone who witnessed the incident to contact them.

Mr Lishman, who took over the lease of The Royal in July 2024, said: "The cars were really close to the pub. About fifteen feet away, just at the end of the beer garden."

He said when fire crews returned to the scene this morning the cars were "still too hot and they had to hose them down again".

Fire crews from Thirsk and Northallerton tackled the blaze in the early hours of Monday morning

Mr Lishman said the incident had prompted them to close the pub.

Posting on social media, he wrote: "We can't say when our doors will be open again. All I can say for now is thank god for CCTV."

A police spokesperson said: "We received a report that two cars were on fire in the Market Place in Thirsk. We are treating this incident as arson.

"If you witnessed the incident or know of any information which could assist our investigation, please contact us."

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