POLICE and fire officers have launched an investigation to establish the cause of a fire which wrecked business premises.

A blaze early yesterday damaged a motor vehicle repair shop run by Malcolm Eastwood, destroying four cars inside the unit on Thornaby's Bon Lea Trading Estate.

Divisional fire chief Tony Marwood said: "As the crews arrived the fire was about to burst through the roof. They had to break in to get access.

"We had three appliances there for a considerable time. We cannot say what was the cause, but we are investigating jointly with the police. Their scenes-of-crime officer has been down there.''