CREWE CID officers are investigating a possible arson attack which has left a public house in ruins.

The Holly Bush in Crewe Road, Winterley, caught fire in the early hours of Saturday April 29, last weekend.

Four fire engines attended the scene at 1.35am and it took 20 firefighters to tackle the blaze, which engulfed the ground floor public areas and living quarters, leaving them completely gutted.

Three male residents were reported in the premises but had escaped from the building by a rear window by the time the fire crews had arrived.

Eight firefighters entered the building in breathing equipment to ensure no more persons were inside and four hose reels were used to tackle and extinguish the blaze.

There was a large amount of smoke and residents in Winterley and Haslington reported seeing the blaze from some distance away.

The damage to the property is thought to have run into tens of thousands of pounds.

Fire chiefs confirmed that the property had no smoke alarms fitted but said that the cause of the blaze is as yet unknown and the fire was described as suspicious.

A police spokesman said: "The fire is being treated as suspicious and the cause is being investigated by Crewe CID and a fire investigation team from Cheshire Fire Brigade.

"Anyone who was in the area of Crewe Road, Winterley, in the early hours of Sunday morning and saw anything suspicious is requested to contact DS Ken Parkin at Crewe CID on 01244 613133," he added.

Information can also be left in confidence on the Crimestoppers helpline on 0800 555 111.

By Pete Henshaw

Picture - Arson Attack?