A shocked restaurant manager has condemned “evil” burglars who turned on kitchen gas burners with the intent of causing a huge explosion.

Aftab Miah, who runs Skipton’s Goa Spice, said the thieves – who escaped with tens of thousands of pounds worth of goods – had tried to set fire to the Cavendish Street premises.

Mr Miah feels lucky to be alive after he made the discovery on Friday lunchtime when he called into the 150-seater, two-storey restaurant to pick up his post.

The 58-year-old said he was overwhelmed by the smell of gas and spent a frantic few minutes hauling open shutters, windows and doors.

“The smell of gas was really strong and I think the intention was to cause a huge explosion,” said Mr Miah.

“The thieves’ actions could have killed someone. I think the whole of Cavendish Street was in danger. The people who have done this are evil. They had also poured rum on one of our order pads to try to set light to it.

“As soon as I smelled the gas I ran into the kitchen holding my nose and then hauled open the shutters, windows and doors. I then went outside to catch my breath and to wait for the police.

“The thieves had run rampage. There was smashed glass everywhere and four or five bottles had been opened, mainly whisky.”

Mr Miah, who also lives in Cavendish Street, said two large chest freezers containing meat and king prawns were emptied and expensive paintings stolen. Also part of the haul were two £450 floats contained in the tills.

* A roadside snack bar on the A59 at Broughton was targeted by arsonists on Sunday night.

Fire crews put out the blaze in the early hours of Monday after a wagon driver spotted the flames.

Business owner Keith Hurren said he was “devastated” by the attack, which caused damage estimated at £2,000, but he hopes to re-open within a week.

“They took two generators, but we found one of them abandoned over the road. Apart from that all they took was sweets and they splattered eggs at the front of the café, “ he said.

“You just wonder about the mentality of these people.”

* Thieves broke into the Hair Studio in Devonshire Place, Skipton, on Saturday night and tried to flood the shop by leaving taps running.

Sgt Julie Battle, of Skipton Police, said the three crimes – which combined theft with attempts to cause “maximum damage” – were very unusual.

“All three crimes are very rare and it seems the intent in each case was to cause large-scale damage,” she said.

“Leaving the gas on at the Goa Spice was particularly disturbing as there could have been a big explosion that could have endangered life.”

Anyone with information should call Skipton Police on 0845 6060 247 or the confidential Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.