A hooded arsonist torched a car in Coldean in the early hours of yesterday morning, fleeing the scene before the flames spread to the car parked next to it.
The arsonist struck shortly after midnight in Woburn Place off Coldean Lane in Brighton, setting fire to a black Renault Clio.
The fire then spread to a red Peugeot 206. Firefighters used a hose reel to put out the blaze, but both cars ended up badly damaged.
A police spokeswoman said: “At 12.24am on Monday (14 May), police received a report of a car deliberately set on fire in Woburn Place, Brighton.
“A person wearing a black hoody and grey tracksuit bottoms is reported to have set fire to the black Renault Clio before running away from the scene.
“The fire spread to a red Peugeot 206 parked next to it, and both vehicles sustained extensive damage.
“The incident is being treated as arson, and anyone with any information is asked to report it online at https://sussex.police.uk/appealresponse or call 101 quoting serial 19 of 14/05.
“Alternatively, you can visit the Crimestoppers www.crimestoppers-uk.org website or contact the independent charity anonymously on 0800 555 111.”
A spokeswoman for East Sussex Fire and Rescue said: “On 14 May at 12.20am, firefighters from Brighton attended a car fire on Coldean Lane, Brighton. Multiple cars were on fire.
“Crews used two breathing apparatus and one hose reel jet to extinguish the fire.”
The previous day at 10pm, firefighters from Roedean attended a car fire on Uckfield Close, Brighton. Crews used one breathing apparatus and one hose reel jet to extinguish the fire.