A DOG started a fire at a house in Calverley last night after knocking a clothes horse on to a woodburning stove.

Firefighters from Idle and Rawdon stations were called to the blaze, which happened at a property in Carr Road, at about 10.45pm.

Watch commander Darren Creighton, of Idle station, said the clothing ignited after coming to rest on the hot stove, which had a fire lit inside.

The homeowners, a couple in their mid-20s, had gone out but raised the alarm when they returned.

"We believe it may have been started by a dog that knocked a clothes horse onto a woodburner," said Mr Creighton. "The clothes horse was next to the stove.

"It happened in the dining room on the ground floor. That room is a total loss and there is smoke damage to the rest of the property."

He added: "Do not leave fires unattended."

The dog, said by firefighters to be a black Labrador, was unharmed in the blaze.

Mr Creighton said the homeowners had only been living in the house for about one week.