OWNERS of an Italian restaurant ravaged in an arson attack have spoken of their devastation and the mammoth task of restoring their business.

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 yesterday.

CCTV from The Ital

Owners Aldo and Christian Devittoris said they had no idea when they would be able to re-open the eatery, which was completely covered in a layer of thick soot and badly smoke damaged yesterday.

Christian Devittoris said: “Our family is completely devastated and we cannot understand why anyone would want to do this.

“This is a completely random attack and we want to offer a reward to anyone who has information that will lead to conviction.

“We have no idea when we will be back open, the damage is into the tens of thousands of pounds.”

The owners also thanked customers for their “overwhelming” support.

“We have had so many messages from people offering to come and do work at the restaurant for free.

“Joiners, carpet fitters, painters and more have been in touch offering to help, and we have been completely overwhelmed. I could cry and the amount of good wishes we have had.

“Our family is now working closely with the police to try and track down these people. Thankfully we have CCTV footage of them and they left behind some articles at the scene,” Christian Devittoris added.

“For now, we are just coming to terms with what has happened, and trying to help our 15 members of staff find temporary work while we are closed.”

Bradford fire station watch commander Richard Lightowler said crews managed to confine the main fire damage to a conservatory area.

He said the alarm had been raised when a resident reported hearing an “explosion.”

Damage caused to The Ital

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

“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.”

CCTV footage from the restaurant shows two people crossing the restaurant car park, going around the back of the building and fleeing shortly later when the blaze erupted.

Last night, a spokesman for West Yorkshire Police said: “Police were called to a report of intruders at the Ital Restaurant in Bradford at 12.42am. Officers attended and found that a fire had broken out inside the premises.

“Enquiries are continuing with the fire service into the blaze, which is being treated as a suspected arson.”

Witnesses should contact Bradford District CID on 101, quoting log *0037 of September 21 or Crimestoppers, anonymously on 0800 555111.

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