AN INVESTIGATION into a blaze at a Farnworth chip shop has been delayed until the building is made safe.

AJ's Cafe in Albert Road was destroyed when it was engulfed by the fire on Monday afternoon at about 4.20pm.

A group of 35 firefighters tackled the blaze at the two-storey building at the junction of Albert Road and Queen Street.

Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service (GMFRS) confirmed that the investigation into the cause of the fire will be carried out once the building has been secured.

A spokesman for the fire service said: "We have so far been unable to carry out the fire investigation because the building is unstable.

"We have been waiting for the contractors to arrive who are going to demolish the gable end of the building where the chimney breast is so that it is safe enough to enter.

"We can't get into the building to find the cause of the fire because it is too dangerous. Hopefully today (Tuesday) we will be able to do the fire investigation.

"Then we can hand the building back to the owner."

A crowd of people gathered outside the building to watch as firefighters battled to get the fire under control.

It is understood nobody was inside the building at the time of the fire which burnt through the chip shop and an adjoining derelict pub roof.

A council spokesman said: "A building control officer was called out to assess the damage to the building on Monday night and was on site yesterday.

"The fire has burnt through a fish and chip shop, and has also burnt around two thirds of the adjoining pub's roof.

"The fire service arranged for a contractor to make the buildings safe. We are arranging for the site to be made secure and boarded up with the site fenced off."