Six cars were turned into balls of flame and several more were doused in petrol with their windows smashed during the attack at Mearclough Motors, Mearclough Road, Sowerby Bridge.

The garage owner, who does not want to be named, only opened for business a few months ago and has been left with £13,000 damage.

But he says despite the ferocity of the attack, he will not be driven away.

"It has just left me in shock", he said.

"I got there soon after it happened and it is awful to see your own business going up in flames.

"I don't know why anybody would want to do something like that.

"I got there when the fire was raging. The flames were up right into the sky and smoke was everywhere.

"There were already two fire engines there but I didn't really know what to do and was very confused.

"I'm just lucky some of the cars survived.

"But I'm going to carry on running this place. I will not be forced away."

The blaze was started at 12.25am on Sunday after arsonists broke into the back of the compound through a fence.

A Saab convertible, Land Rover, Mitsubishi RVR, Ford Fiesta, Ford Escort estate and a Toyota Rav4 were burnt out.

A Vauxhall Vectra's front end was destroyed and three others were left with broken windows and covered in petrol.

Firefighters from Halifax prevented the blaze spreading to 18 more vehicles at the garage.

Police are investigating the fire and are appealing for witnesses to call 0845 6060606.