A man has been arrested after a Brit seaside town was plunged into "absolute chaos" overnight as several cars were torched.

Hartlepool is a usually-quiet charming port town in County Durham, but in the early hours of this morning (Friday, August 18) people were forced to evacuate their homes after an alleged arsonist went on the rampage.

Devastated car owners were awoken to burning vehicles and incinerated shells on the roadside, with authorities first alerted at around 2.20am, Teesside Live reports.

District Commander Martin Hopps has confirmed that one suspect is in custody as of Friday afternoon, as an investigation into the arson attacks continues.

Residents said they banged on windows to raise the alarm as cars just metres from homes went up in flames.

One local said: "Ten cars torched on our street and neighbouring streets, absolute chaos. Had to bang the owner awake."

Cleveland Police said a "small number" of families were evacuated while firefighters were in the area. People were told to avoid large swathes of the area as the problem was being dealt with.

DC Hopps added that there appears to be a path "trawled by the offender" leaving car fires in his wake and that these are not believed to be targeted attacks.

A 20-year-old Range Rover and a Corsa are among the vehicles to be set alight during the night.

DC Hopps added: "At this moment in time we have established that there have been eight vehicles attacked during the course of the night.

"They look like they have been maliciously ignited and we have got a suspect currently in custody.

"There's nothing to indicate that have been targeted, it looks very random. There is a path that appears to have been trawled by the offender and there is nothing at this moment in time to indicate otherwise.

"Initial CCTV enquiries indicate that there is only one male responsible so we're not looking for anyone else at this moment in time but we're keeping an open mind."

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