TWO cars were destroyed and another was left with heat damage following a suspected arson attack.

Firefighters from Basildon were called to a burning Volkswagen Golf behind the Owl and Pussycat Pub in Clay Hill Road, Basildon, at around 7.40pm on Wednesday.

When they arrived they found the fire had spread to a Peugeot 206 and a Hyundai Ascent which escaped with just heat damage..

Crews wore breathing apparatus to put out the blaze which it is believed was started deliberately.