POLICE have charged a man with arson after six cars were set on fire in North Oxford.

Nathaniel Padar, 26, of Churchill Place, Oxford, has been charged with ten counts of arson with intent to endanger life.

He was arrested yesterday and was remanded to appear at Oxford Magistrates’ Court today. 

The car fires took place between about 2.45am and 5.20am on Sunday morning in some of the most expensive streets in the city, spanning Summertown, Park Town and Jericho.

Cars were destroyed in St Margaret’s Road, Staverton Road, Southmoor Road, Oakthorpe Place, Beechcroft Road and Charlbury Road - the most expensive street in Oxford for house prices.

At least one of the cars was torched on a driveway, singeing plants and trees nearby and sending flames soaring for metres.

These dramatic images taken by Marlon Williams have emerged showing fire crews attending to a white Lexus on fire on a driveway of a house in Beechcroft Road.

On Southmoor Road, Jericho, a Renault Clio was set on fire, and residents believe the cars were targeted at random.

Mary O’Leary, who owned the Clio, said: “I don’t think there is any reason [for the arson]. I feel happier knowing it is random rather than someone with a vendetta.”

The fire from her car burning was so intense that it badly damaged a car parked in front of it and caused considerable heat damage to the bodywork of another resident’s car which had been parked metres away on the other side of Southmoor Road.

Officers said no one was injured in any of the suspected attacks.

Research by Lloyds Bank late last year showed Charlbury Road as the most expensive in Oxford, with St Margaret's the sixth priciest and Southmoor Road at number 10.

Police want anyone with information to call the non-emergency number 101.

Were you affected, or did you see any of the fires? Get in touch here