A FIRE that seriously damaged two buildings in Berkeley is being treated as suspected arson.
Firefighters rushed to tackle a blaze in Berkeley in the early hours of this morning after an apparent explosion.
Two crews from Dursley were called to Canonbury Street at 12.57am after reports of an explosion and a large fire which broke out in the former Hard Pressed for Time dry cleaners building.
The building had been unoccupied for more than a year and was recently sold.
Upon the arrival of the fire service, further support was requested, with crews being summoned from Stroud, Wotton-under-Edge and Gloucester North.
A spokesman from Gloucestershire Fire and Rescue Service said that they were unable at this time to confirm whether or not it was an explosion.
Rob Bunting, fire service station manager, confirmed that the fire had not started at Ali's reastaurant.
"We won't know the cause until all investigations are carried out but I can confirm that it did not start in the neighbouring restaurant," he told the Gazette.
"The police will be leading the investigation once the building has been made safe."
A police-led investigation is now being carried out to ascertain the cause of the fire.
Billy Hunt, a postman who lives in Canonbury Street, said that he was awoken by a bang in the middle of night.
Speaking to the Gazette, he said: "I heard a bang just after midnight and looked out my window and saw the rubble on the road and the buildings on fire.
"It took about 15 minutes for fire engines to arrive probably because they're coming from Dursley and Wotton but once they arrived and saw how large the fire was I think they knew they needed more help.
"The fire was still spreading badly about an hour after they arrived with the roof of the restaurant catching fire.
"Luckily everyone knew the building was unoccupied. Otherwise it might have been a lot worse.
"Firefighters are still there this morning, I think they're concerned about the structure of the building because it's leaning out quite badly.
"It's really shocking. I heard the bang and saw the flames."
In October the fish and chip shop in Canonbury Street was damaged by a fire.
A police spokesman said: "We are investigating this incident as a suspected arson and will be examining the scene and trying to identify any suspects.
"House-to-house inquiries are being carried out and we’ll be trying to locate any CCTV from the area that may help us.
"If you know anything please call 101 and quote incident 22 of July 11."
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