POLICE are investigating a malicious fire at a KFC restaurant in Stockton.

The blaze at the restaurant in Wellington Street, Stockton, was reported at about 10.30pm on Tuesday.

It has emerged that five members of staff had to be evacuated and it is believed the fire was started by a passer-by, not a customer.

Crew manager Stuart Gardiner, from Stockton fire station, said someone had set fire to bushes and a hedge beside the restaurant, however this had spread to the facia board of the restaurant.

The interior was not damaged, however a fan was used to extract smoke from the building.

Firefighters also used a thermal image camera to make sure the blaze had not spread beyond the facia board.

Crew manager Gardiner said: “CCTV cameras picked up someone lighting the fire in the bushes and the police are now investigating.”

The restaurant was not open at the time, however several members of staff were inside. They evacuated the building when the blaze started.

Cleveland Police are treating the fire as arson.

Anyone who may have information regarding the incident is asked to contact Detective Sergeant Chris Motson from Stockton Volume Crime Team on the non-emergency number 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously 0800 555 111.