A BLAZE which sparked fears of a gas leak is being treated as arson.

Firefighters said the incident was the latest in a number of deliberately started fires in the area.

Crews based at Bury Fire Station were called to Kay Street at 4.30am today after receiving reports of a pile of tyres ablaze.

While tackling the fire, officers noticed it had ruptured a gas supply line, sending gas into the unit's wall cavity.

Gas engineers were called to the scene.

Watch Manager Steve Wilcock said: “The tyres had been dragged and dumped outside units and set alight.

“This is wilful damage.

“Over the last Bank Holiday we had two fires in the area which had happened at around the same time as this one.

“Police are looking at CCTV footage and I would ask businesses to be vigilant and to ensure everything is locked up.

“Incidents such of this are very disruptive to businesses.”

Emergency services and engineers were on the scene until mid-morning.