Police have said a fire outside a housing estate in Sydenham is being treated as a 'crime-related' incident.

The fire, which broke out shortly before 1am on Saturday, July 14, burnt out a total of six vehicles in the car park of the Sydenham Hill Estate.

It is believed the fire was originally contained to three vehicles, but it spread after emergency services were called.

A resident on the estate, who wanted to remain anonymous, told News Shopper he heard a series of loud bangs just before 1am which he said "continued for more than an hour."

The next morning, he added: "An acrid smoke smell still lingers in the air."

Photos of the aftermath show the vehicles severely damaged from the fire in an area cordoned off by the emergency services.

A Scotland Yard spokeswoman confirmed the incident was being treated as criminal.

She said: "Police and the London Fire Brigade were called at 00:48hrs on Saturday, 14 July to reports of three vehicles on fire outside Tynwald House, Sydenham Hill, SE26.

"The fire spread and six vehicles – four cars and two mopeds – were damaged in total.

"The fire has been recorded as a crime-related incident."

News Shopper has contacted London Fire Brigade for more information.