A BLAZING inferno destroyed the upper floor and roof of an antiques shop in Prestwich.

The early morning blaze, which is being treated as suspicious, ravaged tables, chairs and other goods at the premises of Baron Antiques in Church Lane.

Flames also engulfed the roof of two adjoining properties. The alarm was raised at 2.30am on Thursday, July 30.

Four fire crews from Whitefield, Bury and Broughton took two hours to bring the blaze under control.

The outbreak started in the second floor of the shop - which is up for sale - and an aerial platform was used during the operation.

The road was closed during the incident and the building, which lay in the heart of the Prestwich Conservation Area, was being demolished yesterday.

Leading fireman, Whitefield-based Andy Gregory said: "Antique tables, chairs, wardrobes and dressers which were stored in the upper floor were destroyed.

"The rest of the property was moved to unaffected areas. The second floor was destroyed and the whole roof is gone."

Detective Inspector Ian Jackson of Bury CID said: "We are treating the blaze as suspicious and investigations are continuing."

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