A 62-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of arson following a fire where two police cars were set alight outside Harwich Police Station.

East Anglian Daily Times: Firefighters pictured battling the fire at the police station in Harwich. Picture: HELEN DENYERFirefighters pictured battling the fire at the police station in Harwich. Picture: HELEN DENYER (Image: HELEN DENYER)

The vehicles caught fire shortly before 10.55am Tuesday, April 21, while parked at the station in Main Road.

Both vehicles sustained “significant” damage during the fires, which police now believe was started deliberately.

Surrounding roads were closed while firefighters tackled the flames, which were extinguished in the early afternoon.

A 62-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of arson shortly after and remains in police custody.

East Anglian Daily Times: A 62-year-old man from Harwich has been charged with arson following fires in police cars at the police station in Main Road Picture: HELEN DENYERA 62-year-old man from Harwich has been charged with arson following fires in police cars at the police station in Main Road Picture: HELEN DENYER (Image: Picture: HELEN DENYER)

A police cordon remains in the area and police are continuing to ask members of the public to avoid the area.

Anyone with any information which may aid Essex Police in their investigation, or has CCTV or dash cam footage, is asked to contact them on 101, quoting incident 272 of Tuesday, April 21

Alternatively, Crimestoppers can be contacted anonymously on 0800 555111, or via their website.