FIREFIGHTERS were repeatedly called to a York housing estate last night and early today when firebug youths went on the rampage.

The incidents are just the latest in a string of attacks and vandalism that have plagued the Chapelfields area and left many residents too frightened to leave their homes after dark.

One resident today described the area as "worse than Sarajevo".

Now a rallying cry has gone out to residents to unite against the vandals who left a trail of destruction outside shops in Bramham Road.

Fire crews, backed by a police escort on at least one occasion, were called to the scene four times in less than three hours.

Between 11.30pm and 1.30am they tackled a string of blazes started in wheelie bins, dustbins and litter bins.

And at about 2.30pm the vandals went one further when a plastic-windowed bus shelter was gutted by fire.

Dennis James, 50, who owns convenience store Denmar 2000, the only open shop remaining in the parade, is disgusted at the latest incident.

He said: "These youths have driven every other business out of here, but I won't be driven away.

"The council has done very little to support us and should be doing more to make the place more secure.

"The residents have also got to stand up against these people."

Former Chapelfields Residents' Association chairman Sylvia Spencer has lived on the estate for 43 years but said she would move tomorrow if she could.

She said: "It is just sickening the way just a few people can cause so much trouble on the estate. We need the police to have more of a presence here."

Sgt Nigel Tottie, based in Acomb, said the incidents were being investigated. Officers had attended and spoken to youths in the area.

He said: "I would like to assure residents that we take these matters very seriously and will act appropriately."

High-profile policing is planned for the area in the coming weeks.

The Evening Press has previously told how bus operator First York suspended services because of attacks on its drivers and vehicles in the Chapelfields area, and police were called into "ride shotgun" when services resumed.

In June, a 17-year-old was jailed for his part in a racist incident at a take-away shop in Bramham Road.

Picture - MELTDOWN: The fire-damaged bus shelter in Bramham Road,Chapelfields, today. Picture: Nigel Holland