Twelve limousines thought to be worth around £1million, were destroyed in the blaze at Just Limos in Dagenham recently. It happened two days after one of its limousines was involved in an accident in which a two-year-old died.

Its been said two people were seen loitering by Just Limos before the fire broke out in the early hours of the morning where eight fire engines and 40 fire fighters battled for almost five hours to control the blaze.

A spokesperson for the police said: “We are investigating an arson attack at an industrial unit used by a company called Just Limos. Police from Barking and Dagenham were called by the Fire Brigade at 12.48am. Evidence of an accelerant was found at the premises. There were no injuries.”

The burnt out cars are limousines such as Hummers, Harley Davidson’s, and Chryslers. After the fire the unit the company used was declared unsafe by the Fire Brigade.

A spokesperson for the London Fire Brigade said: “Two of the units on the site were completely gutted by fire. Another unit was partially damaged.

The owners of Just Limos did not want to talk about the incident and commented; “I just want to get on with our lives.” The cause of the blaze is under investigation.

In another incident – A terrified mother has told how she and her children ran for their lives when their limousine company was also targeted by arsonists.

Lyn Thompson runs 1st Choice Leisure in East Bergholt with husband Phil. She said the attack – which left a blazing car right next to their home – could have put the lives of their young children in danger.

It is the second attack on a limousine company in a week. Two weeks ago the owner of BKPlimousines in Barham drove a blazing car out of a line of vehicles to stop them all catching fire.

Last Tuesday’s attack happened while Mr Thompson was out working in one of the company’s two limousines.

Mrs Thompson had put their daughters, aged eight and four to bed in the family’s bungalow. As she went to bed, a limousine parked just feet from the bedroom became engulfed in flames and she had a race against time to get them out of the house.

Mrs Thompson, 40, said: “It was very frightening. Whether they waited for my husband to go out or it was a coincidence I don’t know.

“I had just got into bed and I heard a noise and thought it was a door. I wish I had looked outside because I might have seen something. There was a whoosh and then my bedroom was glowing orange.

“My fears were for my children and my first thought was to get them out. We had to go down to the end of the garden and were worried the car would explode.”

Fire crews called to the scene managed to put out the flames before it spread to the house, but the car has been destroyed after being set alight in three places.

Mrs Thompson added; “We have absolutely no idea why someone would target us. It was so dangerous, we just can’t get our heads around it. They put people’s lives at risk. To set fire to a 30-foot car in front of a bungalow just beggars belief.”

But the couple vowed they will not be beaten and said other companies have rallied round to help ensure they can meet their bookings, including school end-of-year proms and parties.

A Suffolk Police spokesperson confirmed the incident is being treated as arson.