Shock CCTV captures moment two cars set ablaze in Russell Lea

Two cars were deliberately torched on a quiet street suburban Sydney’s inner west. Dramatic CCTV captures the fiery attack that forced nearby residents to flee their homes. Watch the video.

Shocking CCTV footage has captured the moment two cars exploded into flames after being deliberately set alight in Sydney’s inner west, prompting the evacuation of nearby homes and sparking a police investigation.

The footage shows a quiet street erupting into flames as one individual sets the cars alight while another watches and films the incident.

Emergency services were called to Burnell St in Russell Lea shortly before 2.30am on Thursday, following reports of several vehicles on fire.

When officers arrived, they found four cars alight.

Firefighters quickly responded and extinguished the blaze, but two vehicles were completely destroyed and two others were significantly damaged.

Arsonists have targeted a family in Sydney's inner west with two cars set on fire and hateful messages left behind in Burnell St in Russell Lea. Picture: NewsWire / Nikki Short

A woman arrives at the Burnell St address in a taxi. Arsonists have targeted a family in Sydney's inner west with two cars set on fire and hateful messages left behind in Burnell St in Russell Lea. Picture: NewsWire / Nikki Short

Two of the burnt-out cars had been defaced with hateful messaging.

It is understood the message, which written on a car no longer at the scene said “f*** you, you grub”.

A concerned neighbour said she heard an explosion that “sounded like firecrackers”.“There were flames coming out of the garage. It was massive,” she said.

Another neighbour said they were woken up by their dog barking and recalled seeing lots of cars coming and going from the property regularly.

Residents from two nearby homes were evacuated as a precaution, but no injuries were reported.

Police established a crime scene and have commenced investigations into the circumstances surrounding the incident.

CCTV showing arsonists targeting a family in Burnell St in Russell Lea.

The fire is being treated as suspicious.

Anyone with information or dashcam footage is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

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Originally published as Shock CCTV captures moment two cars set ablaze in Russell Lea