POLICE have ruled out foul play after a garage workshop fire that badly damaged two cars.

The fire at the Williamson Motors Peugeot dealership, in Chesnut Street, Darlington, started just before 8.15pm on Wednesday.

The surrounding area was cordoned off by police, and three fire crews attended.

The fire began close to the two cars, and other vehicles in the workshop were damaged by smoke. Spare parts in an overhead storage area were damaged by the heat.

Yesterday, the garage was open for business, but the cause of the fire was still being investigated.

Police said it was not being treated as suspicious, and garage managers ruled out any fault with the main electrical supply.

Robin Rutherford, from Williamson Motors, said: "We are open again as usual, and as yet have no idea what caused the fire, but what we can say is that it had nothing whatsoever to do with a mains electrical fault."

Inspector Mick Young, of Darlington police, said: "The area was cordoned off for some time because of the risk posed by the canisters in the garage.

"However, there are no suspicious circumstances to the incident, and as a result, there will be no further police involvement."