A MOTORIST has told how he saw four people in balaclavas jump out of a Land Rover before it was torched on a road near York.

The Freelander was one of two vehicles destroyed by fire near Murton last night in what firefighters believe were arson attacks.

A crew was sent to the A166 to tackle the Land Rover fire and two crews dealt with a Nissan on fire in Outgang Lane.

York Press:

The motorist told The Press today that he saw the Land Rover being driven along the A166 with a flat tyre, with tyre debris being scattered along the road. He said the vehicle also had a smashed rear window.

"I saw the vehicle stop and four people all wearing balaclavas got out," he said. "They were carrying a bag and a long implement - maybe a pick axe handle or bolt croppers.

"Two or three ran away towards Dunnington and the other ran round to the passenger side and lit something and threw it in, and it went up, and the person ran off.

"When the fire brigade arrived, it took them a while to get it out."

North Yorkshire Police said today that three men had been arrested following an incident at about 7.15pm yesterday.

"Police were called to the A166 in Dunnington, York, with reports a Landrover Freelander was on fire," said a spokeswoman.

"The three men, aged 21, 27 and 29, remain in police custody while inquiries continue."

She appealed for witnesses to contact police on 101.
More to follow