A man who started a fire in a pub could have burned himself in the act, police said.

Emergency services were called to the Albert Bar on Clark Street in Airdrie, North Lanarkshire, at about 12.50am on Monday after the fire broke out.

It was extinguished by a taxi driver, who spotted the blaze and tackled it with a fire extinguisher.

The bar suffered significant damage worth thousands of pounds in the blaze but police said the consequences could have been "much worse" if not for the cabbie's quick response.

Detective constable Joe Peebles, of Coatbridge CID, said: "From CCTV at the bar, a man can be seen breaking a window and pouring a liquid inside which he sets alight.

"He is described as white, late 20s to early 30s, with a full, heavy beard and of a muscular build. He was wearing a white T-shirt, which he had covered with a black bin liner.

"When this man started the fire, the flames blew back on him and it's possible he could have been burned.

"If you know anyone fitting the description that may have scalding on his body, then please contact police."

Mr Peebles called the man's actions "totally reckless", with "absolutely no regard for anyone's safety or the effect the damage will have on the owner's business".

"Thankfully, the bar was closed at the time of the attack but there are flats above it and the people had to be evacuated," he added.

"It could have been much worse, indeed if it hadn't been for the actions of a passing taxi driver who put out the flames with his fire extinguisher, there is no doubt the pub would have burned to the ground and there would have been significant damage to the flats above."

No motive has been discovered for the fire.

Police are calling for anyone who has information about the incident to contact Coatbridge CID via 101 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111, where details can be given in confidence.