ARSON investigators will this morning sift through the wreckage of a North-East house that was gutted by fire.

A man was treated for smoke inhalation after returning to the house in Sacriston, County Durham, to save the family dog.

Firefighters were called to Plawsworth Road at 1pm yesterday to deal with the blaze, which destroyed most of the downstairs of the semi-detached property.

Crime scene investigators will team up with fire investigators today to try to establish what caused the blaze.

A police spokesman last night urged anyone with information to come forward.

He said: "We are treating this as a possibly suspicious incident and a full examination will be continuing.

"We would like to hear from anyone who witnessed anything suspicious near the scene from around 10am on Wednesday."

It is believed the owners were away at the time of the fire, but neighbours said a man and woman in their 20s were seen in a distressed state near the burning property.

The man ran into the house to rescue the dog and was taken by ambulance to the University Hospital of North Durham for observation.

The property was sealed off and guarded by police overnight to preserve the scene for the investigation.

District station manager Keith Wanley, of Durham and Darlington Fire and Rescue Service, said: "We don't know what the cause of the fire was or whether it was deliberate or accidental."

Neighbours spoke of their shock following the drama.

Former miner Tommy Wilkinson, 81, said: "There were flames coming right out the back of the house and they were pretty high.

"The smoke was the worst though. It was billowing out great black clouds."

Anyone with information is asked to contact police on 0845 60 60 365.