ARSONISTS are believed to have started a fire which destroyed a flat in an early morning attack.

Detectives and firefighters have launched an investigation into the blaze in Dingle Walk, Bolton, at about 3.30am yesterday.

Firefighters — treating the blaze as 'malicious ignition' — arrived at the flat to find the front room well ablaze.

Nobody was in the property at the time but residents in the flat above were evacuated while firefighters got the fire under control.

A resident in a nearby house, who asked not to be named, said that she was concerned following the fire.

She said:" I don't know who lives there, as I have not lived here for long myself, but I think it is a young couple.

"It is worrying with it being so close, the flat is only over the way from our flat.

Another resident said: "I was shocked, we don't usually get any trouble around here. The first thing I knew was when I saw it all cordoned off in the morning."

Police and firefighters believe the fire, which destroyed the front room and kitchen and caused smoke damage, is "domestic" related.

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.”

Detectives and fire service staff remained at the flat yesterday as part of the investigation

The flat and the next door property were also taped off and residents are being prevented from accessing the house from the direction of Beta Street.

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