Downpatrick residents have said they feared for the safety of people in the Ballymote Walk area after two cars were set alight in the space of 24 hours.
A burglary was reported in the estate at around 11.15pm on Sunday night, with a grey Mercedes stolen and later found on fire on the Ballyhornan Road.
On Monday, fire crews were called to deal with another car blaze, again on the estate at around 4.15pm.
Read more: Downpatrick car fire the second blaze in town in 24 hours
One nearby resident told Belfast Live she heard what sounded like "a few wee bangs, like kids playing with bangers in a tin" on Monday afternoon.
"Then there was this huge explosion," they said.
"I didn’t go up near it, I seen the smoke and just stayed away while it was being sorted.
"But the next thing, there were kids running up to see the fire, can you imagine if something had happened?"
Another resident said they were afraid that their own car might suffer the same fate.
"I’d be worried about my own car if they’re just taking them and burning them, I wouldn’t have the money to replace it," they said.
"This place used to be like a ghetto down here, but it’s been much quieter in recent years."
The area has had several anti-social and violent incidents linked to it in recent years.
It was reported on Friday April 1 that a man had been caught on camera trying to get access to several vehicles on Ballymote Walk.
Vehicles were also damaged in trouble last year in the area, while a pensioner's house was set on fire in 2018 in the nearby Ballymote Park.
Downpatrick SDLP councillor Dermot Curran condemned the latest incidents.
"There is absolutely no need for this sort of thing," he said.
"We're trying to work together to get things done, if we have a problem, people need to sit down and talk about it.
"There's no need for this wrecking and breaking, it achieves nothing."
Read more: Police appeal as man attempts to enter cars in Downpatrick
Read more: Downpatrick police appeal after car stolen and set on fire
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