POLICE are studying security camera footage after 15 cars were destroyed in a blaze.
The fire broke out in the early hours yesterday at the West Line Industrial Estate, near Birtley.
The cars had been kept in an outside compound owned by West Line Direct, a repair garage that deals in older vehicles.
Security camera footage from a neighbouring factory shows the flames appearing just after 4am. Police officers were continuing to study the footage for clues yesterday.
Crime scene examiners were at the West Line unit yesterday morning and a number of vehicles have been recovered for closer inspection, partly to determine if any were broken into.
Detectives from Chester-le-Street CID said that although the fire's circumstances were suspicious, it was too early to say if it was arson.
Anyone with information on the incident is asked to call police on 0191-388 4311.
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