A CAR was torched in an arson attack at The Basins, Wellington, in the early hours of Saturday.

The fire brigade was called by a nearby resident at about 2.30am. The car was well alight when the crews arrived but trees near the blaze were not damaged.

The fire was extinguished using two breathing apparatus and one hose reel jet.

The vehicle, a Citroen Saxo, was totally destroyed, leaving just a shell.

Police are treating the incident as arson and have already made house-to-house enquiries. The fire brigade will complete its report on the incident before handing over the full investigation to the local police.