A FIRE which broke out at a flat in Radcliffe last night is being treated as arson.

Firefighters from Bury and Whitefield were called to flat in Church Street West just before 8pm.

The fire broke out in the kitchen of the first floor flat, which is being renovated.

Watch commander at Bury fire station Pete Fletcher said crews tackled the fire within 20 minutes, but stayed on the scene for more than hour as part of the investigation.

The fire destroyed the floor boards and damaged 20 per cent of the flat.

Fire officers alerted the police to the incident, who confirmed it was being investigated as a deliberate attack. 

James Hughes, owner of Cafe Fresh which is underneath the flat, said his business was open as usual. 

He said: "The doors were broken down but apart from some cleaning there is no permanent fire damage to the cafe."