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A 14-year-old boy has been arrested on suspicion of arson after 43 dogs were killed in a large fire at Manchester Dogs' Home, the BBC reported.

Police said the number of animals that have died is expected to rise.

Four crews were at the scene of the blaze, which broke out at about 19:00 BST in Moss Brook Road in Harpurhey.

Firefighters said the fire is now out and are asking members of the public who want to help to stay away while the other dogs are still being rescued.

Paul Duggan, from Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service, said: "Unfortunately about a third of the kennels have been badly affected by fire.

"Over 40 dogs have been killed or confirmed as deceased."

"Thankfully due to the intervention of the firefighters, they've actually stopped the fire spreading, and we understand that over 150 dogs have been saved and removed from the site."

Anna Stansfield, manager of Cheshire Dogs Home, described the blaze as "soul destroying" and added all the rescued dogs would be transferred to its site in Cheshire.

"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."

Supt Marcus Noden, of Greater Manchester Police, confirmed a "young boy" was in custody and appealed for people to contact police "if anyone was in the area and remembers seeing anything suspicious around the dogs' home."