Arsonists are suspected after two cars went up in flames in St. George's early yesterday morning.

One victim claimed it was a revenge attack by a local gang upset over a money dispute.

Firemen were called at 4.24 a.m. to battle a fierce blaze in a Volkswagen convertible in Anchorage Road, Tobacco Bay.

Twenty minutes later another fire engine had to be sent to a Renault Convertible which was on fire in Sunny Lane. Firemen could not say what caused the fires yesterday.

Melissa Trott and her boyfriend Richard Burchall Jr. were hoping to get their blue VW Golf convertible back on the road after spending $15,000 on conversion when vandals struck.

Ms Trott said: "It was 15 years old but it was like it was brand new because my boyfriend had just put in everything new - an engine, seats, wheels, a steering wheel, carpeting, leather interior seats and stereo equipment."

"We were in the process of having it licensed so we only had third party insurance on it, but just yesterday we had been to the insurance company to see about full coverage because we were planning to get the car licensed this week. All that money is now down the drain. He is still paying the loan on it.

"The fire-fighters told us it was arson. They said it was definitely not electrical because the fire started from the back of the car.

"We know it could not be electrical because my boyfriend was having some electrical work done on it and to be safe the battery had been disconnected.

"Firemen told us that it probably started from someone throwing a Molotov cocktail or some other ignition fluid possibly diesel, into the trunk of the car. We know who did it, it's just a matter of proving it. We know nothing is going to be done.

"It's the same boys who have been starting trouble around here for so many months - well years even.

"It is at least four teenagers between the ages of 18 and 24. They are gang boys. They had a scuffle with my boyfriend about a month ago over a counterfeit $50 note."

She said her boyfriend was selling his VCR to one of them and complained when the guy gave him a fake note. "That guy left and returned with his friends and an electrical gun, machetes and knives. We reported it to the Police at the time so they know all about it. And a main reason why we're sure it's the same guys is that the son of the owners of the other car that was set alight had a fight with one of these guys last week and they threatened him."

She said her boyfriend's uncle lives next door and got up to use the bathroom and saw the flames.

Ms Trott added: "We tried to put it out ourselves but couldn't get enough water to it and by the time the fire department came it was totally burnt a write off.

"We feel we pretty much don't have any chance of getting any money back on it. My boyfriend is taking it very hard, trust me."