A BRADFORD restaurant has been damaged in a suspected arson attack in the early hours of this morning. 

Five fire crews from Bradford, Idle, Fairweather Green, and Shipley were called to the blaze at the Ital Restaurant on Bolton Road at around 12.40am. 

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Bradford watch commander Richard Lightowler said crews managed to confine the main damage to a conservatory area used by the restaurant, measuring around 20 square metres. 

He said the alarm had been raised when a resident living near the restaurant reported hearing an "explosion."

Crews used four breathing apparatus to search the building to make sure no-one was inside, and no-one was injured as a result of the fire. 

"When we arrived there was really thick and acrid smoke spreading right across Bolton Road," said Mr Lightowler. 

"We were concerned the fire had got into the roof area, but all the crews did a fantastic job to stop it spreading. 

"We were there until around 3.30am making the building safe. 

"An investigation with the police and fire investigators will continue today, but we believe it was deliberate ignition."

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