Stevenage residents have described the "scary experience" of cars being set ablaze in three streets across the town.

A total of seven cars were engulfed in flames in Canterbury Way, Vardon Road and Jessop Road in the early hours of this morning (October 8), with police treating the incidents as suspected arsons.

The Comet spoke with one resident in Canterbury Way whose only car was destroyed by the fire.

"One of the cars is ours," they said.

"We didn't hear anything in the night. I came out to go work, smelt petrol, saw the police tape and saw our car.

"It's our only vehicle. We have autistic children and there was a specialist pushchair in the car. I don't know what we're going to do.

"The police think the white car was set on fire and it spread to the others."

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Another resident in Canterbury Way, who had smoke from the blaze enter her home, said: "This was horrific to wake up to.

"My home was filled with smoke and I was alerted by my dog. It has left everyone worried and concerned.

"It was reckless and selfish. People could have been seriously hurt."

Jessie Burden, who lives in Vardon Road, also had smoke coming into the house in what was described as a "scary experience".

"All neighbours responded quickly and bravely to wake up residents who lived right beside the vehicle fires," Jessie told The Comet. 

"Luckily all were fine and well but it was a scary experience, especially having young children in the house and smoke coming in."