A hooded suspect was seen leaving the scene of an arson which destroyed a popular community cafe in Salford.
Fire crews from Salford Central and Eccles were dispatched to Woodies Cafe on Langworthy Road at around 2.15am on Monday 25 January.
One suspect, dressed head-to-toe in black, was spotted fleeing up the street on a moped towards the A576 Eccles Old Road.
The moped, a 2014-model Vespa, was later found abandoned nearby.
Firefighters used hoses to tackle the blaze but it took almost an hour to be extinguished and the scene made safe.
Fire, smoke and water damage to the cafe will force it to close for the forseeable future.
Greater Manchester Police confirmed that unknown offenders entered the back yard and used a scaffolding pole to prise the shutters from a back window before breaking in.
They then proceeded to start a fire in the back of the cafe which quickly spread.
A petrol can, which police suspect was used in the attack, was found in a downstairs toilet.
Owner Barbara Gerrard told SalfordOnline.com she and her staff were devastated.
Four jobs could be lost as a direct result of the arson.
She said: “I’d like to ask if anyone hears anything they contact police.
“Woodies was a thriving business and a hub for the local community.
“It was a massive success, and I can’t tell you how many hours we put in, seven days a week, to make it an asset for local people.”
The cafe opened in March 2013, quickly becoming popular with school run mums and local workers.
But it suffered repeated break-ins and burglaries before last night’s arson.
“I’m so disappointed, I just can’t understand why someone would want to do this to us, it’s such a well-used and well-liked place,” said Barbara.
“”My phone’s not stopped ringing all day. It had such a good atmosphere and the staff loved it, it’s just heartbreaking.”
The cafe supported numerous community campaigns including helping to raise money for the Alan Henning appeal, cash donated to the children of the Eccles taxi driver murdered by Islamic State.
Barbara vowed: “I will do everything in my power to get this business back up and running, if it’s the last thing I do.”
Fire crews called police who confirmed they were investigating a suspected arson.
An investigation is ongoing to identify the suspect.
Anyone with any information is asked to call Greater Manchester Police on 101 or Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.
Main image: Langworthy Road – Google Street View
