A teenager has been charged with five counts of arson after a number of cars were destroyed by fire.

Toby Pierce, of Crescent Road, Ramsgate, was arrested yesterday after multiple vehicles caught fire in the Claremont Gardens and Grange Road areas of the town at around 5.20am.

The 18-year-old was charged later that evening and has been remanded in custody to appear at Medway Magistrates' Court tomorrow.

Fire service spokesman Mark Roberts said: "Our crews attended car fires in Claremont Gardens, Chapel Road, and Grange Road in the early hours of yesterday morning, between 5.18am and 6.22am.

"Firefighters used prying tools to access the engine compartments and high-pressure hoses to extinguish the flames.

"Police have been made aware as all three incidents are thought to have been cases of malicious ignition."

One woman who lives nearby said: "I woke up yesterday morning to this at 5.37am. A black car set on fire, which then spread to the car next to it.

"Wasn't sure where my car was parked as it's been a while since I went out due to lockdown, but luckily it wasn't mine, but it was awful.

"This is the second fire on our part of Grange Road and there have been more in nearby road in the past months.

"Another car was torched in St Lawrence this morning a couple of roads away, which spread to a property close by.

"The fire service did a great job this morning."

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