An investigation is underway after a suspected arson attack on a town centre business in the early hours.
Fire and police were called to Heavenly Desserts in Deansgate just before 1.30am.
A large cordon was put in place as police investigated the cause of the blaze.
That was removed just after lunchtime.
Three fire crews from Bolton Central and Bolton North were mobilised and police were called after a fire broke out.
One door was smashed and another door was set on fire.
When fire attended the scene, sprinklers had extinguished the blaze but there was flooding within the restaurant which was then dealt with by the firefighters.
Fire crews were in attendance for approximately two hours and crime scene investigation and police have been in attendance at the building throughout the day.
A large cordon was in place preventing traffic from travelling down Howell Croft North and turning at the lights next to the restaurant.
The cordon was then reduced to just the outside of the building before being taken down completley.
Police are now asking people with any information regarding the suspected arson to contact them.
A spokesman for Greater Manchester Police said: "At around 1.30am this morning (Monday 23 January 2023) Greater Manchester Police were called to Deansgate, Bolton.
"An investigation is now underway into what is a suspected arson not endangering life.
"No arrests have been made at this time.
"Anyone with information that may help officers with their enquiries are asked to call 101 quoting log 132 of 23/01/2023."
Watch manager Phil Hinsley of Bolton Central Fire Station said: “We were called to an incident at Heavenly Desserts at 1.20am where we believe there has been an arson attack.
“So, when we arrived, one of the front doors had been smashed and another had been set on fire.
“The sprinkler systems had activated, and it extinguished the fire, so crews were in attendance to investigate and had to deal with flooding as we couldn’t stop the sprinklers.
“Three fire engines attended, two from Bolton Central and one from Bolton North.
“Fire investigation along with the police will investigate it.
“There were no injuries and no persons there at the time, apart from those who caused it, but they fled the scene.
“We were in attendance for two hours.”
Investigations have been ongoing throughout the day with a sniffer dog also used.
People have spoken about how upset they are about the suspected attack on the business, saying they enjoy going there.
A member of staff at the One Stop Shop further up Deansgate also said they are not afraid.
They said: "When I came into work the cordon was already here, so I don't know what happened.
"I don't feel concerned or worried because we have alarms that connect straight to the police.
"Town now is very dangerous and people say they are scared to come to town at night and it is also becoming empty.
"I moved here about 12 years ago and it was much busier."
Owners of Heavenly Desserts have been contacted regarding the suspected arson but have not yet responded.
On their main Instagram page for Heavenly Desserts, owners have shared an update that the Bolton restaurant is temporarily closed but they will see customers again soon.
Their Instagram story post said: "We're closed temporarily, Bolton, see you soon."
The cordon has now been removed and repair works on ongoing inside the building.
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