Detectives have launched a hunt for suspects after the huge fire caused severe damage to Praise bar and restaurant in New Road in the early hours of yesterday.

Related:
Restaurant hit by blaze, 6 October 2008.
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The attack has left the venue's owners with a repair bill likely to run into hundreds of thousands of pounds, and it is not expected to open until the new year at the earliest.

Director Colin Doherty said: "I have no idea what kind of person could do this amount of damage. It's just total devastation.

"We are often here working late at night, and it was just fortunate that no one was in the office when this fire was started otherwise lives could have been lost.

"We are just trying to pick up the pieces now, and hope the police can catch whoever is responsible."

The fire broke out in the ground floor bar of the venue at about 3.45am yesterday, causing serious damage to the bar area and extensive smoke damage to the main restaurant, upstairs VIP area and offices.

Eleven fire crews spent more than three hours at the scene battling the blaze and making the building safe.

Police have not revealed details about how the devastating blaze was started, but Mr Doherty said the smell of "accelerants" was noticeable after being allowed into the building to survey the wreckage in the afternoon.

Owner Zillur Hussein said the damage could have been much worse, particularly as hundreds of bottles of flammable spirits were being stored behind the bar.

He said he was still in shock at discovering the attack was deliberate.

"We are going to have a directors' meeting to talk about how we are going to fix this, but I don't think we will be open again before Christmas," he said.

"We are looking at at least two weeks to clear up the smoke damage alone."

The fire also caused considerable smoke damage to Lakeside Superbowl next door, where staff have been working around the clock on a clean-up operation and hope to have it open for business again today.

Bosses of neighbouring Liquid nightclub, Chicago Rock Cafè and New York New York bar say they have not been affected by the blaze.

A fire service spokesman said: "Following an investigation, we can confirm the cause of the fire is suspected arson."

City police are, meanwhile, appealing for witnesses to help them piece together the events leading up to the arson attack.

Detective Sergeant Adam Fraser said: "We are still in the early stages of the investigation, and are trying to piece together how this fire may have started.

"It is important for us to speak to anyone who was in this area early this morning who can help with our enquiries."

Anyone with information can call police on 0845 456 4564.