VANDALS who launched a firebomb attack in a York suburb today left a householder's new car severely damaged.

Stunned motorist Chris Thompson told the Evening Press he had bought his Mazda 626 only three days before the attack in the early hours of this morning.

The firebomber also targeted another car, a Rover 214, in the attack at about 2am in Welborn Close, off Alcuin Avenue, Tang Hall.

Mr Thompson, a window cleaner, described how the drama unfolded.

He said: "I was sitting watching a DVD at my mate's house when we heard two loud pops, jumped up to the window and the cars were on fire.

He said: "I'm gutted, I only bought it three days ago. I reckon about £600 of damage has been done."

Mr Thompson said he believed the attack may have been motivated by someone with a grudge against him and the owner of the other car, Craig Wharton.

The rear windscreens were put out on both vehicles during the attack, and both suffered fire and smoke damage.

A spokesman for the North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service said today that one fire engine from Clifford Street fire station attended the incident.

The fire in the Rover had been extinguished by the time the fire crews arrived, but firefighters put out the flames in Mr Thompson's Mazda.

Police attended the incident and are believed to have pursued a man, but it is not thought that any arrest was made at that time.

Updated: 10:24 Tuesday, July 20, 2004