AN INVESTIGATION has been launched after fire ravaged a Chinese takeaway in the early hours of Saturday morning (Sept 14).

Prompt action by Bury fire crews resulted in the blaze being put under control within 20 minutes and stopping the threat of it spreading to a row of terraced houses.

Fire crews were called to the blaze at Wing Lee chip shop in Bell Lane at 4.15am.

It is believed the fire was started deliberately after fire officers discovered a hole in the roof of the empty terraced property.

The blaze destroyed living quarters on the first floor of the building, including the landing, bathroom and two bedrooms.

Although situated in the middle of a row of terraced houses, no one lives at the shop and the ground floor takeaway area sustained only water damage.

Two pumps from Bury Fire Station were deployed and four breathing apparatus and a hose reel were used to tackle the blaze.

They were at the scene for three hours damping down.

Station officer Pete Seddon said: "The first floor of the shop was severely damaged but fortunately it was unoccupied. The fire is under investigation as it appears someone has made an entry through the roof."

Next door neighbour Mrs Carole Laycock said she was woken by the noise of an alarm at around 4am and looked outside to see police and fire officers outside the front of her house.

She said: "It was quite frightening really. There were flames blazing out of the back windows but we were not evacuated. Afterwards a fire officer checked in the loft and we were given the all-clear."

Mrs Laycock said she believed the alarm was raised by some passers-by who saw smoke at the rear of the chip shop and said that the quick action by the fire service prevented damage to the other houses.

She added: "It could have been a lot worse. There could have easily been an explosion with it being a chip shop and the whole row could have gone up. I feel sorry for the owners, though, as their livelihood has been ruined."