Sniffer dogs join war on arsonists

2:53pm Sunday 18th February 2007

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FIREFIGHTERS in Greater Manchester have appointed a new recruit - their first Fire Investigation Dog.

The dog is being used as a weapon in the battle to reduce arson.

The labrador is being trained by dog handler Mike Dewar, from Kearsley, at the Lancashire fire brigade's training centre near Chorley.

The labrador is yet to be named and the fire service are appealing to members of the public for suggestions.

The dog will be able to detect accelerants, such as petrol, paraffin and white spirit, which are often used to maliciously start fires and will sniff out whether fires have been started deliberately.

Its sense of smell is 200 times more sensitive than that of a human.

Assistant Chief in charge of Fire Safety with the Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service, Steve Beckley, said, "This dog will assist fire investigators and police officers in correctly identifying arson and ensuring that evidence is recovered that can assist with prosecutions".

When not investigating fires and training, the dog will be taken out to schools, open days and fetes and give demonstrations to members of the public.