A DOG has been killed in an allotment fire.

Fire crews were called to the fire at the allotment in Tockholes Road, Darwen shortly after 12pm following reports of an explosion, thought to be due to a gas cylinder, at the site.

A fire service spokesman said firefighters was met by a severe fire in a large shed. He said: "The owner reported that there was a Liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) cylinder involved in the fire. 
"A cordon was immediately set up for public safety and the road was closed. 
"The cylinder was located and removed to safety by firefighters."
The owner of the property made the fire service aware that his dog was inside the shed a spokesman said. He said: "Unfortunately the remains of the dog were found by firefighters after the fire was extinguished."

A Carley Street resident resident said he had been alerted to the fire by a friend. He said: "I have a shed myself and he rang me to make sure it wasn't mine that was on fire.
"I came out to check and could see the smoke in the distance. 
"People have stoves and burners in the sheds and it's really dangerous.
"You only need a spark and the whole place will go up."

One Tockholes Road resident said she believed the dog and its owner both lived in the shed. She said: "When I got back from work at 1pm the road was closed but the fire had been put out.
"I know the fire was in a shed and I heard that a gas cylinder had exploded and the poor dog had been killed.
"We suspect someone has been living there, which would explain why the dog was in there alone.
"You can tell someone's been sleeping in there because there are so many out buildings and bins.
"It's an ongoing problem with the allotment sheds, they're council owned but no one uses them so people move in." 

A fire service spokesman said the cause of the fire is still being investigated. He said: "We believe the dog had been left in the shed to keep warm.
"The fire is of suspicious origin and an investigation is now underway"