A FIRE at a petrol station shop that went up in flames is being treated as arson.

The blaze at Cleggs Lane Service Station in Cleggs Lane, Little Hulton, was spotted about 3.30am this morning when the building was empty.

Between 12 and 15 firefighters from Farnworth Fire Station and Bolton Central Fire Station attended the incident at the store attached to a Gulf filling station.

Police say an accelerant had been poured through the roof and set alight and have launched an arson investigation into the incident.

Farnworth watch manager Carl Haslam said: "It was a deliberate ignition of some description.

"Police and the crime scene forensic investigators will be investigating it today.

"When we arrived we saw smoke issuing through the roof and we had to go through rollershutters and wooden doors to gain access to the shop.

"Half the contents of the shop were destroyed but we managed to save the building.

"We stopped the fire spreading to neighbouring buildings or the pumps.

"The fire was under control within 15 minutes."

Fire crews were on scene for a full two hours ensuring the flames did not reignite and the scene was safe.

Mr Haslam said: "If it had not been noticed then it could have spread to the whole petrol station."

One line of enquiry being pursued by detectives is that a figure was seen running from the shop shortly before the fire started.

Cleggs Lane Service Station remains closed and cordoned off.

The offender is described as a man of medium build, about 5ft 7in and wearing dark tracksuit with the hood pulled up.

Detective Sergeant Zoe Nightingale, of Salford Division said: “We are in the early stages of our investigation.

"Fortunately, no-one was injured but extensive damage was caused to the building.  

"We are asking anyone with information or who may have witnessed a man in the area behaving suspiciously to contact the police."

Anyone with information can call police on 0161 856 8361 or the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.