ARSONISTS caused damage running into thousands of pounds after torching vehicles at a remote storage unit outside Buckfastleigh.

Firefighters believe the blaze at Kings Down, off Wallaford Road, was started deliberately in the early hours of Wednesday.

The alarm was raised by a local resident living across the valley who spotted flames coming from the property just after midnight.

Nearly 20 firefighters from Buckfastleigh, Ashburton, Ivybridge and Totnes were sent to the isolated location.

Three vehicles inside the storage unit were completely destroyed together with the unit.

Seven other vehicles outside the premises, including caravans, were also wrecked in the blaze.

Police and fire investigators have launched an inquiry.

Firefighters were hampered in their efforts to tackle the flames which were fanned by strong winds.

Most of the vehicles and the building were beyond saving by the time crews reached the scene at about 12.30am.

Four sets of breathing gear were worn as two hosereel jets and a main jet were used to extinguish the flames.

Crews wound down the operation after two hours, dealing later with hotspots. The site was revisited at daybreak.

A fire spokesman confirmed that police had been alerted amid suspicions the fire was started deliberately.