THREE cars were set alight in the compound of a car repair yard early today.

Firefighters called out to the blaze had to use their ladders to climb into the compound, as it was locked and protected by razor wire.

The burning cars, at TF Smith's between Linton Street and Hall Lane, East Bowling, Bradford, were reported to the fire service at 4.20am.

Mark Rogerson, watch commander at Bradford fire station, said: "Somebody had broken into their yard and set three cars on fire, for some reason.

"It has got quite good security around it, with razor wire and big fences up.

"We had to use a ladder to get into the yard itself, so how the people got in, I'm not too sure."

Mr Rogerson said the cars which had been set alight were a Ford Ka and two 4x4 vehicles.

He said the Ford Ka was destroyed.

"There was nothing left of it," he said.

The matter is now being investigated by the police.