A SPATE of abandoned cars being torched by vandals on the streets of Hereford has led to warnings by the fire brigade and a local councillor that a tragic accident - probably involving a child - is just around the corner.

Hereford fire brigade has attended 12 car fires in the last two months and 30 in the last year in the Newton Farm area alone - a favourite spot for car dumpers.

Most recently a derelict car was deliberately torched in Broxash Drive, Newton Farm, at 7pm last Thursday, September 27.

On the same night another abandoned car was torched in Penhaligon Way at 10.45pm.

John Newman, area councillor for Newton Farm, said: "Sooner or later a child is going to be burnt to death either trying to light one of these cars up or in an explosion from a burning car."

"Trying to get anyone to do anything about getting these cars off the road before they become targets of vandals is like nailing jelly to the wall. Something has to be done now because when an accident happens questions will be asked as to why nothing was done to prevent it."

Councillor Newman will give a joint presentation with Community Fire Safety Co-ordinator Neil Piggott at an upcoming meeting of the South Wye Community Safety Group that will include police and resident representatives.

Mr Piggott said: "Our major concern is that someone is going to be killed in one of these fires. Thankfully all agencies agree that something needs to be done."

He said Kent County Council had handled a similar problem by scrapping cars after one week.

Currently cars can sit on the streets in Herefordshire for upwards of six weeks before anything is done about them.