Police are treating the fire that broke out last night at a church in Lower Broughton.
The at the Grade II listed Ascension Church and six fire engines were quickly at the scene.
Flames could be seen for miles around and the fire quickly took hold of the one hundred and forty year old church which has been gutted by the fire.
It is believed that the offenders have forced entry to the building and started a fire before fleeing the scene.
Officers have released CCTV footage which shows a male, possibly, a teenage boy, leaving the scene around the time the fire broke out, believed to be around 11pm.
Detective Sergeant Karl Dalton, of GMP’s Salford Borough, said: “We have a team of detectives investigating the circumstances surrounding this large-scale fire which has completely devastated a building at the heart of the community.
“The reckless actions of the person, or people, responsible have caused a great deal of stress and anxiety to many and it is fortunate that no one was injured.
“I am appealing to the public to carefully watch the CCTV footage to see if you can help us identity the person who can be seen leaving the church grounds around the time the fire started.
“We also need to hear from any witnesses to the incident or anyone who believes they have any information.”
Picture via Manchester Fire
