Vandals ran amok and torched three cars worth more than $36,000 in the central parishes in the early hours of Sunday morning.

First to go up in flames was a $23,000 Nissan station wagon parked in Sheldon Road, Pembroke.

Ten minutes later, at 3 a.m., a Toyota Starlet worth $5,000 was destroyed in Park View Lane, Devonshire. Nearly two hours later a Daihatsu Mira worth $8,500 was gutted in Melville Estate North, Devonshire.

A fire service spokesman said all three blazes are being investigated.

Fire crews wearing protective clothing were also called to clean up spilled acid and bleach at the Bermuda Rum Cake Factory in Dockyard on Saturday evening.

Firemen say the spill was caused by child vandals. A spokesman said: "They put themselves in danger."

A US submarine crewman was taken to hospital with suspected heart problems after being taken to Ordnance Island yesterday morning after being picked up at Five Fathom Hole by a Government pilot boat.