A MAN has appeared in court in connection with alleged wilful fire-raising at a flat in Haldane.

Two dogs died in the fire and a man, 42, was treated for smoke inhalation after the early morning blaze at the Miller Road flat.

Shortly before 1am on Friday, June 24, fire fighters from Balloch and Dumbarton were called to a fire.

An occupant of the block of flats alerted emergency services to the incident and was given fire survival information while on the phone as he waited for crews to arrive on scene.

The man was rescued using a ladder from the building and eight fire fighters using high pressured jets extinguished the blaze.

He was treated at the scene for smoke inhalation but was not taken to hospital.

However, a spokesman for Police Scotland confirmed two dogs died as a result of the blaze, which took hold in the early hours of the morning.

Christopher Barnes, 28, appeared at Dumbarton Sheriff Court last week on petition, in connection with the fire.

However he made no plea or declaration and was remanded in custody.

Barns' case was due to call again this week.