LIVES have been put in danger in Kirkby Stephen after two incidents of arson left one car blazing close to homes and a gas pipe and another a burned out wreck.

Kirkby Stephen PC Roly Earl told the latest meeting of the town council: "In my 15 years (as a police officer), I can't recall anything like this happening."

He said: "We are viewing this really seriously because on both occasions the cars have been burned out near buildings and, on the second occasion, near dwellings."

"The heat from a burning car is tremendous and it was very close to a gas pipe."

Councillor Joan Johnstone, acting chairman of the town council, said: "It was a potential disaster. It's not something we associate with this area. It's very dangerous."

PC Earl said he was "at a loss" as to why it was happening.

Coun Johnstone asked PC Earl if the two incidents could be just a coincidence but he replied: "Coincidence is removed from us in training".

Cumbria Police spokesman Greg Stephenson agreed that lives were being put at risk: "Whoever is doing this has a callous disregard for the safety of the public."

He strongly urged anyone with any information to contact Kirkby Stephen police station on 01768 864355.

The first incident took place on December 29, when a BMW 740 was stolen from Westgarth Grove between 4pm and 10.30pm and torched nearby, close to the rugby club.

The second took place in the early hours of January 5 when a Ford Fiesta was lit on Mellbecks in the town.

The force of the blaze smashed three double-glazed windows in an adjacent house.

John Redmond, landlord of The Pennine Hotel, in the Market Square, said: "We are getting more like inner cities all the time. It's getting ridiculous. All I can say is that they (the culprits) are watching too much television and thinking it's funny."

The incidents came against a backdrop of a very quiet festive period, with "no trouble at all reported to the police", according to PC Earl.