DETECTIVES have launched a probe into a flat fire which is being treated as arson.

Firefighters were called to the blaze in Dingle Walk, Bolton, at about 3.30am.

No-one was in the ground floor flat at the time, and residents in the above flat were evacuated while firefighters dealt with the incident.

Crews spent about an hour-and-a-half tackling the blaze, which was confined to the front room and the kitchen.

Firefighters said the front room and kitchen were destroyed by the fire.

The cause of the blaze is currently unknown, and an investigation has been launched by the police and the fire service.

Ian Reid, watch manager at Bolton Central fire station, said: “The flat was well alight when we had arrived.

“We worked to make sure that the fire was contained to the first floor and did not spread to the rest of the flat and to the upstairs flat.

“An investigation into the fire by the police and the fire service has now been launched.

“We are treating the fire as malicious ignition. We don’t know what the cause is at the moment, but we believe it is suspicious.”

A spokesman for Greater Manchester Police confirmed officers are investigating the incident.