Detectives are hunting arsonists after a late-night explosion tore through a hairdressers – and a second blast wrecked a car parked in a nearby street.

Residents living near to the Foreign Affairs salon in Idle, Bradford, said they heard an “almighty bang” as the blast went off and blew out both shop-front windows.

Hair dryers and chairs were left strewn around the floor in the incident which happened just after 10.40pm on Monday.

The second explosion happened nine minutes later in nearby Moorside Gardens.

Yesterday forensic police teams were sifting through the damaged salon looking for leads.

Officers were still guarding the cordoned-off scene of the explosions.

A police spokesman confirmed the blasts were being treated as arson and said the two linked incidents were believed to have been targeted attacks.

Officers want to speak to anyone who saw a man wearing a balaclava and acting suspiciously outside the hairdressers.

Detective Inspector John Priestley, of Airedale and North Bradford CID, said: “At this stage we believe these attacks were targeted against individuals and not simply random acts.

“It is fortunate no one was hurt in these incidents and we are appealing for help from the public to help us trace those responsible.

“I would like to reassure residents that offences of this kind are quite rare in Airedale and North Brad-ford however.”

No one was hurt in either incident.

The owner of the salon lives above the shop but it is not known whether he was in or not at the time of the attacks.

Myra Casey, whose son Stephen runs a carpet showroom next to the hair salon, said her heart went out to the hairdresser.

“I feel so sad for him,” she said.

“The owner has been here longer than us, so that’s over 11 years. He works really hard, it’s a classy place – or at least it was.

“I don’t think he will be able to open for a while – it’s such a mess and such a shame.”

Anyone with information about the explosions should contact Airedale and North Bradford CID on 0845 6060606 or CrimeStoppers on 0800 555 111.

e-mail: kathie.griffiths @telegraphandargus.co.uk