ARSONISTS are being blamed for a fire at a Bury adult photographic studio.

Three firefighter crews were called to The Dark Room studio in Myrtle Street South at 5.30am on Monday (Feb 12). The alarm was raised by a neighbour.

It is believed the fire started in a first-floor rear room and the flames quickly spread to a second area. A large amount of photography equipment, pictures and videos were destroyed in the inferno.

Station Office Paul Myerscough said that it was initially feared a person was trapped in the building at the time although it quickly was established the studio was empty.

He said: "This is the third time we have attended fires at this particular address. In previous cases, as in the latest incident, the fires were started deliberately."

The owner of the building is thought to be a woman who lives in the Rochdale area. Fire officers were yesterday trying to trace her.