FIRE dogs are set to be sent to sniff out any flammable substances involved in the fire at the House of Lords in Barrow as an investigation into the massive blaze begins.

From the beginning of next week, fire investigators will finally be allowed into the site in a bid to determine how the fire was started on the night of Wednesday January 11.

It is understood that electrical components were in the vicinity of the source of the fire although investigators will attempt to rule out any other possible ignition causes before coming to a conclusion.

Diggers and fire dogs, brought in from other areas of the county, will be used to examine the rubble to identify a cause.

If evidence of an accelerant is found, such as fuel or alcohol, police could then launch a criminal investigation if they suspect the fire was started deliberately.

Cumbria Fire & Rescue Service's station manager Roger Exley, a fire investigator, has been involved with the fallout of the House of Lords fire since the blaze.

Mr Exley said: "Our job is to determine the cause of the fire; the police and insurance company will be looking at any potential blame.

"We discount all possible sources of ignition and then whatever is left, which we can't rule out, leads us to the probable cause."

Fire dogs, typically spaniels or labradors which are chosen because of their extraordinary sense of smell, are trained to identify a variety of ignitable substances. The four-legged fire investigators assist with criminal investigations to determine whether a fire has been started deliberately.

When investigating fire scenes, the dogs wear boots to protect their paws from shards of glass and other sharp objects.

The dogs provide almost 10 years' service once trained and attend annual training refreshers to ensure they aren't barking up the wrong tree when it comes to identifying substances correctly.

Meanwhile, Cumbria County Council has issued a new road closure notice for the section of Abbey Road between Dalkeith Street and Duke Street.

Two lanes of the road are open to allow traffic to travel in the direction of Duke Street but the northbound carriageway will remain close for up to three months.