A GUARD dog hampered firefighters as they tried to tackle a blaze in a car scrapyard.

The dog was roaming the compound at Darwen Auto Breakers in Robert Street when firemen arrived at 10.30pm.

Sub-officer Tony Hartley said: "We were stopped from getting in by a large Alsatian which was untied. Fortunately, we managed to get access to an adjoining roof and used a jet from there."

Sub-officer Hartley added that they were concerned the fire could spread to a wooden outbuilding and properties beyond that.

But they had managed to contain the blaze to 10 cars, which were piled three high. Fire crews are investigating the cause.