Police and fire teams have launched a joint investigation after fire severely damaged a petrol station in Little Hulton last night.
Officers are now looking into the possibility that the blaze was started deliberately.
Two fire crews from Farnworth and Bolton Central were called to Cleggs Lane in Little Hulton at 2.10am this morning, Tuesday 19 April.
Officers attended and discovered that accelerant had been poured through the roof and set alight.
An offender seeing in the area at the time is described as a man of medium build, about 5ft 7in tall, and wearing dark tracksuit with the hood pulled up.
Detective Sergeant Zoe Nightingale of Salford Division said: “We are in the early stages of our investigation. Fortunately, no-one was injured but extensive damage was caused to the building.
“We are asking anyone with information or who may have witnessed a man in the area behaving suspiciously to contact the police.”
Anyone with information should call police on 0161 856 8361 or the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
Smoke was pouring from the roof of the petrol station, sparking fears the fire might have reached the stores of fuel.
Four firefighters in breathing apparatus had to force access through metal shutters, finding a well-developed fire in the Best One shop.
They feared if the flames had spread they could have ignited the petrol pumps nearby, but crews managed to dampen the flames within 15 minutes of arriving at the scene.
Eyewitnesses told how crews used thermometers to monitor the level of heat on the petrol pumps on the forecourt outside to make sure they stayed at a safe temperature.
Luckily the building was empty when the fire broke out.
The contents of the shop were destroyed in the fire but the building is thought to be structurally sound.
It remains taped off with police Crime Scene investigators due to arrive to conduct enquiries this morning.
Fire crews spent over two hours at the scene making sure it was safe and were on scene until around 5am on Tuesday morning.
The service station and shop remain closed this morning and no-one was available for comment.
