FIRECHIEFS called in a sniffer dog after suspecting that a flat fire in Rawtenstall had been caused deliberately.

Two crews battled for an hour to control the suspicious blaze at a property in Queen Street at around 1.30am today.

The fire at the flat, formerly know as Claire House, which houses people with learning difficulties and has a warden living at the site was spotted by a neighbour who alerted the fire brigade.

Crew manager, Mick Angland, said the brigade's Golden Labrador sniffer dog based at Chorley was called in after firefighters smelled paint stripper and suspected the blaze had three separate sources.

"There was thick black smoke bellowing from the windows when we arrived.

"We sent four firefighters into the property wearing breathing apparatus.

"They could smell paintstripper or something like it.

"We brought in the dog which was able to establish where the possible sources of the accelerant were.

"When the dog finds something it gets excited and starts scratching at the floor.

"It found two spots where accelerants could have been used and police took away samples for analysis.

"It is a rarity to use the dog and the first time I have known it to be used in Rawtenstall but obviously in cases like this can be very useful."

He added the flat was empty at the time of the blaze.

The fire had caused serious smoke and heat damage to the property, he said.

Acting police Inspector at Rawtenstall, Chris Saville, said a 17-year-old youth had been arrested on suspicion of arson and was being questioned.