A 14 year-old boy has been arrested by police on suspicion of arson after a fire at Manchester Dogs' home on Thursday evening. Around 40 of the animals were killed in the blaze but another 150 were rescued.

An online campaign to raise funds for the home has already secured donations of around 120-thousand pounds in just a few hours.

Residents reported hearing "dogs yelping". There were reports of residents risking their lives by running into the burning building to save animals.

At least 40 dogs were confirmed by police to have died, with "numerous" other animals having to be treated for injuries, the Greater Manchester force said.

Outrage and shock at the blaze resulted in a fundraising campaign that has raised more than £100,000 in less than six hours.

Anna Stansfield, manager of the home's sister facility, Cheshire Dogs Home, described the fire as "soul destroying".

She said: "I cannot describe what we have seen tonight. It's soul destroying. We are so grateful to the people of Manchester and Greater Manchester who have come to support us but we need to get the roads clear so we can get the dogs out."

She said all the 150 dogs rescued by the fire service would be transferred to its site in Grappenhall, Warrington.

Superintendent Marcus Noden said: "We would ask if anyone was in the area and remembers seeing anything suspicious around the dogs' home that they call police and tell us what they know.

"As a dog owner myself I understand that many people will feel angry and upset about what has happened, but I would ask that they let the police carry out their investigations and not take matters into their own hands."

The home has cared for more than one million dogs since it was established in 1893. It is said to care for more than 7,000 stray and unwanted dogs each year.