POLICE are treating a barge fire on the Bridgewater Canal as a suspected arson attack.

Firefighters were called to the incident near Howarth Street in Leigh at around 2.15am on Sunday.

A spokesman for Greater Manchester Police said: "This is being investigated as a possible arson."

He added that no arrests have been made.

An eyewitness, who lives nearby, said: “I heard a noise outside the window.

“At first it didn’t seem that big but eventually it consumed the whole vehicle.

“It was only when the fire brigade put it out that I realised it was a barge.”

A spokesman for Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue said: “Three fire engines from Leigh, Atherton and Heywood attended.

“They were there for about an hour-and-a-half.”

Anyone with any information about the fire should call police on 101.