A garage owner has been left thousands of pounds out of pocket after arsonists struck and wiped out five cars and damaged five others on his forecourt.

Amjad Mahmood spoke of his shock at the attack on his used-car business that has been operating in Great Horton Road for the past nine years.

“I can’t understand why this has happened,” he said. “Nothing has ever gone on like this before and I’ve been here nearly ten years. I’ve had a fantastic few weeks, no fall-outs with any customers, absolutely nothing.

“Most of my customers are elderly anyway, but there’s no trouble round here with any youths either. I’m completely mystified why my cars have come under attack.”

Mr Mahmood said he had always kept cars out overnight on the forecourt of Royal Garage.

“Five cars were totally destroyed and are still left where they stood, which isn’t great for business. I can’t get them moved until Wednesday because of the new year holidays.”

He said a neighbour raised the alarm and he only got to know about it two hours after it happened, at just after 7am on Sunday.

“The police have been looking at local CCTV to see if they can find anything or get any clues, but I don’t think they’ve come up with much,” said Mr Mahmood “I’ve got insurance, but I don’t think it’s going to completely cover it. I think it will have cost me about £6,000 – not a great start of the new year.”

The garage, which is in part of the Old Horton Brewery building, was open for business yesterday.

A police spokesman confirmed the fire was being treated as arson and said inquiries were still ongoing. Anyone with information should contact Bradford South CID by calling the non-emergency number 101.