A DOG died in a fire that severely damaged a terrace house in Nelson.

An investigation was under way today to establish the cause of the blaze, which wrecked the living room and smoke damaged the rest of the house in Fleet Street.

The living room was well alight when the fire and rescue service was called out at 9.34pm yesterday. Four firefighters were sent into the house and while two tackled the blaze the others made a search of the building. It was empty but they discovered the dog which had been overcome by heat and smoke.

Leading firefighter Tony Spencer said: "The fire is still under investigation. The fire brigade's sniffer dog was due to be called in this morning together with police scenes of crime officers.

"We want to establish whether it was deliberate or not. If it wasn't we can start looking at other causes."

Efforts were also being made to trace the owner of the house.

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