THE owner of an off-licence is "lucky to have a shop", according to firefighters, as police probe a suspected arson attack in Tonge Moor.

An investigation has been launched after rubbish piled up against the rear metal shutters of California Wines in Tonge Moor Road was set on fire at about 1am on April 10.

A fire service spokesman said the owner was "lucky still to have a shop" following the incident.

Firefighters from Bolton central fire station tackled the blaze before it could get inside the shop or the rear yard, limiting the damage to the shutter.

The yard behind the shutter contained several items of furniture, including mattresses, which would have caused the fire to spread quickly had it reached them.

Firefighters cut through the shutter to make sure there was no one inside. Nobody was injured.

Police were interviewing people in connection with the incident at the shop, which is on the corner of Union Road.

The fire service had earlier passed the case to police after concluding that the fire was started deliberately.

The shop's owner came to the business in the early hours to speak with the emergency services.

The fire service spokesman said: "The lads stopped the fire spreading to the rear of the property.

"There was a lot of stuff in the back of the shop so he has been quite lucky.

"It was quite a bad fire but we sorted it out before it could creep through the shutter.

"Once we had gained entry to the premises we saw that it had thankfully not spread inside.

"The owner was very thankful and he is lucky still to have a shop."

Natalie Seal has lived in Horsa Road, at the back of California Wines, for six years.

She said there had been a couple of arson incidents lately in the area, including a car that was set on fire and some bins at a nearby house.

Mrs Seal said: "It is just asking for trouble to put all those mattresses and items of furniture in the back.

"Over the last six to 12 months there have been a few incidents in the street with a few things from the police pushed through the door warning of neighbours causing trouble."

The shutter was badly damaged and will have to be replaced, according to the fire service.

California Wines was closed on the morning after the blaze.

Crews from Bolton Central and Bolton North attended, and used used a specialist saw to gain access to the property, as well as a hose reel, thermal imaging camera and short extension ladder.

A police spokesman said officers were trying to ascertain who the rubbish belonged to and were making enquiries. No arrests have been made.

Anyone with information should call police on 101.