What has been described as a freak accident saw two cars catch fire in Whitfield yesterday (Monday).

Firefighters were called at around noon to a freight yard car park in Menzies Road to put out the blaze.

It started after a camping gas cylinder rolled under one of the cars and set it alight.

Watch manager Andy Bachelor said: "A lorry driver was using a camping gas cylinder to cook up a meal and the cylinder fell over and rolled under a car, set it alight and then the neighbouring car as well.

"The chances of it happening are so slim it was almost difficult to believe that's what caused it to start with.

"This was a freak accident and unfortunately two cars were destroyed."

Crews used breathing apparatus and foam to put out the blaze which took around one hour.

Both cars have been completely written off.