AN "EPIDEMIC" of arson attacks on stolen and abandoned cars is potentially putting lives at risk, fire and police chiefs said today.

They urged people to immediately raise the alarm about anything suspicious, as the number of deliberate vehicle fires escalates in areas of York.

The appeal for help comes after firefighters were called out to two incidents within 30 minutes, when flames from burning vehicles threatened to spread to neighbouring houses, putting lives at risk.

The Evening Press reported on Saturday how a van was set alight behind a property in St Paul's Square, Holgate, at 5am that day.

The fire reached Jenny and Edward Harland's garage and was in danger of spreading to their home.

The couple and their neighbours were evacuated as four fire crews spent nearly two hours bringing the blaze under control.

One crew from Acomb had been redirected from nearby Balfour Street where a Fiat Punto had been torched, with flames spreading to a Volvo.

York fire chief Graham Buckle said an investigation was under way to see if the attacks were linked.

The Volvo's owner, a woman who asked not to be named, said: "If I hadn't been a light sleeper, we would have been dead in our beds. I awoke to an explosion.

"I realised a car was in flames and ours was starting to burn. I woke up my husband with my screaming.

"The Fiat is a write-off. My husband moved our car while it was still burning. He probably saved our house.

"We could have lost our lives. We could have been dead in our beds. The heat was so intense the kitchen window cracked. It was horrendous."

Mr Buckle warned: "We have an epidemic of deliberate car fires within the city, particularly in the Acomb area - Foxwood, Holgate, Clifton and Kingsway.

"We are working closely with colleagues in the police and the Safer York Partnership to reduce this problem."

The number of deliberate car fires so far in 2005/06 is up by 45 incidents on last year. The year runs until April.

"It is not over yet," said Mr Buckle.

"The scrap value of cars has dropped, which makes people more likely to abandon them. Once abandoned, they became an attraction for vandals. Sooner or later they are set on fire.

"A lot of the cars have been stolen and are then set on fire to try and destroy the evidence."

Sergeant Mike Stubbs, of York Police's Neighbourhood Policing Team, said: "We condemn the people responsible for these attacks which go beyond mindless vandalism, and potentially put people's lives at risk.

"We appeal for anyone with information about these dangerous attacks to contact police as a matter of urgency."

Abandoned cars should be reported to the York Pride Action Line on 01904 551551.

Updated: 09:49 Thursday, February 02, 2006