A BRADFORD man whose two cars were the subject of an arson attack and another local resident have spoken about seeing a "line of fire" that could have "spread like wildfire".

The police and two engines from Bradford Fire Station were called to a report of two cars alight at 10pm on Thornbury Drive in Thornbury.

On arrival, a spokesperson for Bradford Fire Station said two cars were "up in flames".

A spokesperson for West Yorkshire Police said: "A 38-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of arson and remains in police custody."

"I was asleep," said the man whose cars were destroyed by fire. "My daughter ran upstairs to tell me our two cars were on fire. One was mine and one was my daughter's. They had been set alight.

"I'm glad the fire brigade came when they did, as the fire was spreading like wildfire.

"We were very fearful this house was going to be engulfed.

"The fire service did their job very professionally. They got here very quick."

Bradford Telegraph and Argus: One of the damaged vehicles One of the damaged vehicles (Image: T&A)

Another local resident described hearing a 'pop' and then going outside to see a "line of fire".

He said: "I was just getting ready to come outside when I heard a 'pop', said a local resident who helped raise the alarm for the community.

"I literally came out just after the cars started on fire.

"I seen a line of fire. It looked like a lot of cars were on fire.

"There was fuel running along the ground and there was a trail of it.

"I was worried it might explode. I was scared if there was an explosion it would set houses on fire.

"I shouted to warn the neighbours and to tell them to get out of the way and we didn't want people to get burned.

"People were trying to throw water on the car to put out the fire.

"But with the fuel on fire you have to be careful.

"It's just ridiculous and crazy. There could have been kids or other people walking by.

"I was worried about the harm it could caused to people in the community.

"It affected this family but other families as well.

"I've lived here 31 years and nothing like this has ever happened.

"Everybody gets on with each other."

The man whose cars were burned also spoke about the incident's impact on the community.

"I've lived here 25 years, so I know the whole community will be affected by this."

He also praised neighbours for their sympathy.

"The neighbours have been sympathetic to us. They've been so supportive.

"A lot of people have been checking in on us."

"We're in panic mode," he said. "We don't know what to do. This is going to give us nightmares.

He said his family will now be without two cars, which will be a massive inconvenience for him and his wife, who are both disabled.

"This is going to be a massive inconvenience for us. We both regularly go to doctor's appointments.

"We very, very vulnerable people and this has stressed me out."

One man who lives in Thornbury but goes for regular walks along the street was surprised by the damage to the two cars.

"It's usually pretty peaceful around here," he said. "This community gets on well, so I'm surprised to see this."