DUMPED vehicles could be a 'potential death trap' for curious children this school holiday, an officer from West Devon Borough Council has warned.
Environmental health chief Dave Banks issued his alert after three abandoned cars were torched by vandals in the Yelverton area, leaving behind toxic ruins.
Mr Banks said: 'My principle concern is the shell of the vehicles after they have been set on fire.
'The burnt out plastics inside a car become toxic and if it comes into contact with the skin, it can be very nasty.'
Mr Banks said the vehicle wrecks could attract youngsters, and the risk was even higher with children home from school at the moment.
'If youngsters are involved in these fires, the consequences are extremely serious — these vehicles are potential death traps,' he warned.
The borough has a duty to deal with abandoned vehicles under the Refuse Disposal Amenity Act.
Since 1997, the number of dumped cars in West Devon has risen sharply — in the first six months of this year, 90 vehicles have been removed from the roadside by borough council health officers.
This number compares to 69 vehicles in 1997, 103 in 1998 and 157 in 1999.
Mr Banks said officers spend up to two hours dealing with every dumped car.
He said: 'Officers' time is precious but it is ultimately the council tax payers who end up paying.'
Once the council has dealt with the car, the last registered keeper once traced faces a fine of £110.