POLICE say they want to speak to two youths who are potential witnesses to a blaze which ripped through a Portskewett hire centre, causing more than £300,000 worth of damage.

The fire gutted the BEC vehicle hire business and Scootex scooter garage in Pill Way, on the Severn Bridge industrial estate just before 6pm on Tuesday.

The cause of the blaze and its starting point are still unknown, but fire investigations officers are compiling a report.

Police are treating the fire as suspicious but say they have had no leads from the handful of witnesses interviewed.

Detective Sergeant Dave Edwards, of Chepstow CID, said: "Two young lads were seen within 150 yards of the premises around the time of the fire.

"We would like them to come forward and help us with our inquiries. "They are not suspects."

Both youths are aged between 17 and their early 20s. One is tall and was wearing a bobble hat. The other is shorter and may be black.

DS Edwards also said CCTV footage from neighbouring businesses will be examined. Anyone with any information on the incident can contact police on 01633 244999.

A FIRE at a Newport garage last night is believed to have caused damage which could run into thousands of pounds.

Three fire engines from Maindee, Malpas and Duffryn were called to the Britannia Motor Company, a used car sales outlet, and adjacent Somerton Park garage, in Cromwell Road, at 9.25pm to attend a fire at the workshop.

Fire investigators were last night trying to establish the cause of the blaze. Assistant Divisional Officer Jack Evans said the fire had damaged cars in the workshop and that smoke had spread to vehicles in the showroom.