A fire at a popular Italian restaurant is being treated as suspicious, police have confirmed.

Emergency services crews were called to the Bella Vita restaurant on Mosspark Boulevard, near to Paisley Road West in Cardonald shortly before 4am this morning.

Footage on social media, posted by Twitter user @staceyc07, showed huge flames and smoke billowing out from the building.

Five fire crews attended and eventually put out the blaze, with owners confirming they hope to be re-open by this evening.

Glasgow Times: Bella Vita restaurant in CardonaldBella Vita restaurant in Cardonald

READ MORE: Popular Bella Vita Italian restaurant promises reopening after Cardonald fire

Now, Police Scotland have confirmed to the Evening Times that they are treating the blaze as suspicious and an investigation has been launched.

A spokesperson for the force said: "About 3.45am on Wednesday 6 November 2019 police were alerted to a fire at the premises of Bella Vita in Mosspark Boulevard in Glasgow.

"Officers attended and inquiries are currently underway into what is being treated as a suspicious fire.

"Door to door enquiries are underway and CCTV in the area is being reviewed.

"The restaurant itself was affected by smoke and the fire which was at the rear of the building was extinguished by the Fire and Rescue Service."

Glasgow Times: Footage of the Bella Vita fireFootage of the Bella Vita fire

READ MORE: Watch: Popular Bella Vita Italian on fire as crews tackle Cardonald blaze

Staff confirmed on social media this morning that the bulk of the fire was at the rear of the building, resulting in minimum impact on the restaurant itself.

The lunchtime service was closed to customers but they hope to be back open from 5pm.

One appliance remained at the scene this morning to help dampen down the scene but it has since stood down.

A Scottish Fire and Rescue Service spokesperson said: "We were alerted at 3.42am on Wednesday, November 6, to reports of a fire on Mosspark Boulevard, Glasgow.

“Operations Control mobilised four appliances and a high reach appliance to the scene, where crews extinguished a large quantity of rubbish on fire at the rear of a building.

“Firefighters left after making the area safe.”

It comes after crews faced their busiest night of the year, responding to more than 600 incidents across Scotland during Bonfire Night.

Anyone with information that may assist police during their investigation is urged to contact them via 101, quoting incident number 0409 of November 6.