ARSONISTS tried to set fire to an industrial unit by pouring petrol through a waste pipe.

Firefighters were called to the Taylor Street Industrial Estate, in Bury, at around 10.40pm on Tuesday, where a small fire had been started between two units.

Crews from Bury and Whitefield reported that there was evidence that whoever had started the blaze had tried to spread it inside a building - occupied by a window tinting company - by pouring petrol through the pipe.

The fire did not reach the inside of the unit, but there was some damage to the outside of the structure.

Police are now investigating the incident.

Steve Wilcock, watch manager at Bury Fire Station, said: "There was a petrol can on the floor and it appeared to be a deliberate attack.

"It looked like they had tried to pour petrol inside the building through the waste pipe.

"We climbed onto the building to make sure the fire had not spread to the inside, and the building was tight as a drum.

"It also looked as if someone had tried to pull off the roof skin. We assume that was done by whoever started the fire, but it may have been from a previous incident.

"We have informed the police and they will be visiting the site to investigate."