MYSTERY surrounds the cause of a massive explosion which ripped through a kebab shop in Prestwich.

Residents have told how they heard a bomb-like blast at 1am yesterday (Thurs July 5), seconds before the front and rear windows were blown out of the Kashmir Kebab House and Takeaway in Hilton Lane.

A gable wall was damaged in the explosion which came an hour after the takeaway closed. The building was unoccupied.

An investigation has started into the blast and police and fire officers were yesterday sifting through the rubble for any clues .

It is believed the shop had been for sale for several months while the owners are said to have been the victims of racial attacks by local youths. The owners, who did not want to be named, refused to comment on the explosion.

Neighbour Miss Heidi Specter (25) told the how she had just arrived home after a night out with her brother when the explosion occurred.

She said: "It sounded like a bomb had gone off. I went outside and the road was just covered with glass and shutters.

"Seconds before the explosion I heard the voices of children at the back of my home. They ran off and then I heard this extremely loud bang."

Another resident, who did not want to be named, said the shop owners had been victims of racial abuse by local teenagers and the owner had recently been assaulted in a fight outside the takeaway.

Fire crews from Broughton were called to the scene shortly after 1am to deal with a small blaze inside the shop.

Station Officer Gary Dewar said the flames were quickly extinguished. He added that the gas supply points had been checked and appeared to be working normally.