- There are two garage lengths that have really burned and at least 15 cars are completely destroyed and additional cars damaged. There has been a sharp fire, says Eva Jirhall, on-duty preliminary investigation leader at the police in Kalmar.

The alarm about the fire came just after 3 o'clock early on Tuesday morning. When the rescue service arrived at the scene, one of the garage extensions was overheated.

Residential building right next door

- The threat was that fire and smoke would spread to apartment buildings next to the garage, says Magnus Andersson at the Security and Alarm Center in Kalmar.

In total, about 30 blue light personnel from the rescue service, ambulance and police were called to the scene, which continued at 06:30.

- The fire has been extinguished but the operation will continue throughout the day. We must limit the danger and make sure that it does not flare up again and that it does not lie and burn in the ground, says Magnus Andersson.

Suspected arson

The rescue service will search residential buildings nearby with thermal cameras and the police will conduct a technical investigation at the site because a suspected crime has been committed.

- Right now the incident is classified as a serious arson, says police Eva Jirhall.

It is unclear whether the residents of properties next to the fire site have been evacuated, but there is no information that anyone was injured.