Arson destroys cars in secure rental yard

ABC Rentals Tauranga in Waihi Rd has become a victim of major vandalism after an arson attack on Saturday morning. Photo / George Novak

A Tauranga car rental business owner is still reeling after an arson attack at his premises which left two cars gutted and three others damaged.

ABC Rentals owner Neale Morris, told the Bay of Plenty Times, that the attack happened at his locked Waihi Rd compound about 2am on Saturday. He rushed to the scene about 45 minutes later after a call from police, he said.

Mr Morris said two of the cars were completely gutted, two others sustained significant damage, and a fifth vehicle sustained paint damage.

"It was a nasty shock and a pretty horrible sight. It's very upsetting but fortunately no one was hurt."

Four of the vehicles were on fire when fire crews arrived.

Mr Morris said the offender or offenders managed to gain access into the locked yard, which was protected by a barbed wire fence, and may have used a nearby skip to scale the fence.

Some cars were tampered with at a neighbouring business property two weeks ago but otherwise the attack had completely come out of the blue, he said

"I don't know any reason why someone would have done this."

Detective Mark Farrell said police and a Tauranga fire investigator had launched an investigation but inquiries were ongoing.

How the vehicles were set alight was yet to be determined, he said.

Mr Farrell is urging anyone who saw any suspicious activity in the area early Saturday or knows anything about the arson to call police on 577 4300.