POLICE are hunting two teenagers in connection with an arson attack that levelled an Indian restaurant.

Officers confirmed earlier today that they were launching an investigation into the cause of the fire at the Bayleaf in Longbarn.

Now Cheshire Police have released descriptions of two young teens suspected of starting the fire, with the demolition of the building now underway.

Witnesses saw the boys running away from the scene at the time of the fire, around 6pm last night, heading towards Station Road South.

One boy is described as being aged 12 or 13, around 5ft3 with short fair hair.

He was wearing a black hoodie and black pants.

The other is believed to be aged 14 to 15, 5ft7 tall with short dark hair - he was also wearing a black hoodie and dark pants.

Police constable Kartikay Agravat said: "I would like to speak to anyone who saw suspicious activity in the area between 5pm and 6.10pm.

"Was there anyone hanging around before the fire had started?

"Did you see anyone acting suspiciously after the fire had started?

"If you have any information that could help us with our enquiries I would urge you to contact police on 101."

Streets including Harpers Road and Station Road were shut, with four fire engines and an aerial applicance attending the scene.

Speaking on the scene, Padgate resident Jane Yates said: "It is quite scary really - there have been problems at that site for a while but nothing like this.

"It looks like it has been flattened."

Residents reported seeing smoke across the eastern side of town, with the building well alight.

United Utilities reported that two customers experienced discoloured tap water as a side effect of efforts to bring the fire under control, but this has since returned to normal.

Click play below to see drone footage of the blaze from reader Stuart Hamlett:

Fire crews, who attended from as far away as Chester and Alsager, remained on scene this afternoon.

An engine was also been dispatched to Carpenter Grove, which backs on to the affected site, in order to cool down adjacent properties which were overheating.

Readers Evelyne and Alistair Fletcher said: "We can't thank the fire crews enough who have been in attendance all evening and have prevented the fire spreading to trees and nearby properties."

Cheshire Fire and Rescue Service advised members of the public to avoid the area.

Torus Housing Group purchased the property only last week.

A spokesman said: "Torus is working closely with the emergency services to understand the full extent of damage caused by the fire to both the site and buildings in the surrounding area.

"The local authority has given approval to demolish the fire-damaged former Bayleaf Indian restaurant immediately for health and safety reasons.

"Our priorities are to secure the site, make it safe and to keep local people informed."

Anyone with information about the attackers should call Cheshire Police on 101 quoting incident number 736.

The site has planning permission for 93 apartments, having been vacant since early 2015.

Footage of the blaze from reader Victoria Rae: