FEARS have been raised someone could be seriously hurt as a Wrexham community suffered its second wave of arson attacks on vehicles this week.

Cllr Malcolm King, ward member for Wynnstay in Caia Park, is urging anyone with information which may help catch the arsonist to contact police immediately before anyone is hurt.

His warning comes after two cars were torched in the early hours of yesterday – two days after three vehicles were targeted nearby.

Yesterday a Vauxhall Corsa was targeted in Montgomery Road at about 2.30am, followed by a Ford Focus estate in Gwenfro at 4.20am.

In the early hours of Tuesday in nearby Meadow Lea, three cars – a Peugeot, Ford
Galaxy and Ford Fiesta – were wrecked in similar circumstances.

Cllr King said: “These attacks are very upsetting for the owners of the cars and their families, and also members of the public in the community wondering if they are going to be next.

“If the fire gets to a car’s petrol tank that may cause an explosion which could have catastrophic consequences.

“If anyone has information that can help the police they should get in contact with officers immediately.”

Marcus Finchett, 18, owner of the Vauxhall Corsa, is a motor vehicle student at Wrexham Training.

He only bought the vehicle a week ago after saving up hard.

Marcus’ father Melvyn died in 2009 aged just 53 from a heart attack.

Marcus’ mother Brenda Jones said: “I am so proud of my son.

“He works very hard and had just bought the car, then something like this happens. It brings everything back.”

Michael Clarke, of Gwenfro, owner of a Ford Focus, said: “Why has this happened to me? I haven’t done anything to hurt anyone.

“It had a full tank of petrol. If the flames had reached that, the car might have exploded and that could have been a disaster.”

A spokesman for North Wales Police said: “Both of Thursday’s fires are being investigated as arson. At this stage it is too early to say if there is a link.”

A spokesman for North Wales Fire Service said yesterday’s incidents were caused by deliberate ignition. On both occasions firefighters used a hose reel jet to fight the flames.

They added heat damage was caused to another vehicle during the blaze at Montgomery Road.

Speaking to the Leader on Tuesday, Kevin Jones, arson reduction manager for North Wales Fire and Rescue Service, said: “We do experience spates of deliberate car fires in the Wrexham area which tie up our resources unnecessarily and we have been working closely with local policing teams to combat this issue.

“Arson is a serious crime and in conjunction with North Wales Police we will pursue prosecutions.

“We appeal to people to report deliberate fire starters by contacting North Wales Police on 101 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.”