DEMOLITION crews have pulled down the Bayleaf in Longbarn after Tuesday night’s devastating fire.

The derelict Indian restaurant on Harpers Road, formerly the Longbarn Social Club and Smithy’s pub, was the victim of an arson attack with what remained of the building now bulldozed for health and safety reasons.

Watch Warrington Guardian photographer Dave Gillespie’s video footage of the Bayleaf demolition above.

Cheshire Police are hunting two young teenagers in connection with the incident, shortly after 6pm on Tuesday evening.

Witnesses saw the boys running away from the scene at the time of the fire, with one described as being aged 12 to 13, around 5ft3 with short fair hair and wearing a black hoodie and black pants.

The other suspected is thought to be aged 14 to 15, 5ft7 tall with short dark hair – the teen 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 by the blaze, with Cheshire Fire and Rescue Service dispatching four engines and an aerial appliance to the team.

Crews were sent from as far away as Alsager and Chester, with smoke from the fire visible from across town.

An engine was also dispatched to neighbouring Carpenter Grove in order to cool overheating properties that back on to the site.

The adjacent New Horizons School remained open yesterday, Wednesday, in spite of the fire.

Torus Housing Group had purchased the Bayleaf site, which has planning permission for 93 apartments for the over 55s, only last week.

A spokesman for the housing group said: “Torus is working closely with the emergency services to understand the full extent of the 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 is urged to contact Cheshire Police on 101, quoting incident number 736 of March 28, or to call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.