Families in an English seaside city have been evacuated after "absolute chaos" noticed "10 cars torched" in a small variety of streets.

Neighbours spoke of banging on home windows to lift the alarmbell as vehicles have been engulfed in flames simply metres away from rows of residential properties in Hartlepool, Teesside.

Cleveland Police mentioned officers have been known as to a "multiple vehicle fires" throughout the port city at round 2.20am on Friday. It meant a "small number" of households have been evacuated whereas firefighters have been within the space.

One close by resident mentioned: "Ten cars torched on our street and neighbouring streets, absloute chaos. Had to bang the owner awake."

A Cleveland Police spokesman added: "Emergency services are currently dealing with multiple vehicle fires across the Hartlepool area. Police received report of fires on Caledonian Road, Baden Street, Shrewsbury Street, Lansdowne Road, Osborne Road, and Brinkburn Road.

"A small variety of residents have been evacuated and officers are urging individuals to keep away from the realm while emergency providers take care of the incident."

Anyone with any information is asked to contact Cleveland Police online or by calling 101 quoting incident 164288.

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