A MAN has been arrested after a dog was rescued from a blazing property.

Domino, a two-year-old, pit bull-Staffordshire terrier cross, was saved by firefighters after the fire in Woodbine Terrace, Stanley, at 2.50pm on Wednesday.

Police said a male had been arrested over the fire and it is understood a probe into its cause will examine whether it had been arson.

Emergency services were called after 24-year-old Michael Wilkinson, spotted the fire in the flat above his cousin’s home.

He said: “I saw the smoke and tried to kick the door in in case someone was in there but could not get it through, so I rang the police and fire brigade.

“I tried to get in through the window. There was smoke everywhere and the fire was still going.”

Mr Wilkinson, called the young woman who lived there, who in turn told the dog’s owner, Steven Wilkinson, 21, so he could make sure Domino was safe.

He said: “I came back straight away in a hysterical mood. There was loads of smoke and I just wanted the dog to be safe. He was lying on bed shaking and petrified when the firemen came through.”

Crews from Consett and High Handenhold attended and four officers wearing specialist breathing apparatus used two hose reels to tackle the fire.

Watch manager Jason Stafford said: “It was pretty well established when we got there. The occupant of the downstairs flat turned up and said his dog was in the property so we went in and got it out. He was absolutely fine, but a bit shaken up.”

A spokesman for Durham Constabulary said: “The fire, in a first floor flat, is being treated as suspicious and a joint investigation between ourselves and the fire service has been launched.

“There are no injuries to any residents.”