The owner of a luxury steakhouse has spoken of his devastation after his business suddenly went up in flames.
Beefalo Meat House, in Bolton, was preparing to host a charity fundraising event when a fire tore through the restaurant this morning (Monday).
Eyewitness reported seeing smoke billowing from the roof of the building in Blackburn Road, Astley Bridge, shortly after 11am. No one was injured in the incident but pictures from the scene show extensive damage to the restaurant's roof.
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Orkun Derin, one of the owners of the steakhouse, said he was 'devastated' when he discovered what had happened.
"Next door called and told me there was smoke," he said. "When we heard we straight came here."
Firefighters attended the restaurant and brought the blaze until control. Crews continued to work at the scene into Monday afternoon.
Mr Derin said fire crews had told him they found two fires in separate locations inside the restaurant - one in an office and another in a seating area.
"We are devastated," he said. "We are trying to figure out what has happened.
"No one wants this to happen to their business. We hope we will be able to reopen but we are going to wait for the investigation."
Beefalo Meat House opened in 2021 and offers gold leaf covered steaks for an eye-watering £180. It is run by chef Bayram Yuce, who launched Macello Meathouse and Kassap Meathouse in Liverpool.
The restaurant was due to hold a fundraiser for the victims of the recent catastrophic earthquake in Turkey and Syria on Monday evening. As a result of the blaze, they have had to cancel the event.
"We were expecting about 200 people," Mr Derin explained. "They have all been calling us now asking if they can do anything to help.
"We will try to rearrange or do something else to raise the money."
In a post on its Instagram page today, the restaurant said it would be 'closed until further notice'.
A Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service spokesperson said: "Shortly after 11am on Monday 6 March, firefighters were called out to a fire at a restaurant on Blackburn Road, Bolton. Fire engines from across Greater Manchester, as well as an aerial unit, quickly attended the scene where the roof and rear of a restaurant is on fire.
"Crews remain at the scene, using four breathing apparatus, two jets and a hydraulic platform to extinguish the fire."
A spokesperson for Greater Manchester Police said: "At approximately 11:15am today (6 March 2023), officers were called to reports of a fire on Blackburn Road in Bolton.
"No injuries have been reported and no arrests have been made."
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