Car explodes in forecourt arson

The fire damaged a second car and the garage building

A car exploded after it was deliberately set alight on a garage forecourt in Manchester.

A second vehicle was also damaged in the explosion along with part of the building at the Northenden Car Clinic, Palatine Road, Northenden.

A spokesman for Greater Manchester Police said the images had been released in the hope of encouraging someone to come forward.

Pc Matthew Farrell said: "The only saving grace is that no one was hurt."

He added: "For whatever reason the offender has clearly set out to cause as much damage as possible and a completely innocent businessman now has to deal with this irresponsible individual's actions."

Deliberately setting fires was "reckless and dangerous and it is fortunate neither the offender nor anyone else was injured", he said.

The incident happened on 4 December but police are hoping the pictures will encourage anyone with information "to do the right thing and turn in whoever is responsible", said Pc Farrell.