A GANG of hooded thugs tried to burn down an Indian restaurant as people slept in flats above.

The early-hours attack happened in the Strathbungo area of Glasgow's South Side.

Four men in their late teens or early 20s were seen throwing bricks at the window of India Gate which had closed around four hours earlier.

They then doused the front of the Pollokshaws Road premises with petrol and set it on fire.

Fortunately the strengthened glass window did not smash and the fire didn't spread past the pavement and exterior.

But today restaurant owner Tony Singh said the result could have put lives of the upstairs residents in danger.

The 44-year-old businessman said he will give a cash reward to anyone who provides information leading to a conviction.

He said: "I've no idea who would do something like this. My concern is for the people in the flats.

"It was the early hours and many residents would have been asleep. It's frightening to think what could have happened."

Mr Singh runs several city restaurants and has owned the India Gate for more than two years.

The 100-seater restaurant has now reopened for business.

He added: "I've been in the area for 20 years and have had no problems. We pride ourselves on having good relations with everyone in the community.

"We think someone must have put these people up to this.

"I would appeal to anyone with information to go to the police. This is more important than a restaurant being vandalised. Lives were put at risk."

The attack occurred just before 1.30am on Tuesday.

Staff and customers in a late-night shop across the road from the restaurant had seen the gang who wore hooded tops.

A man in the shop at the time chased the gang along Pollokshaws Road but lost them near Queen's Park.

Fire crews and police, who have also appealed for witnesses to come forward, were at the scene within minutes and officers are examining CCTV footage taken in the area.