Six pets die in kitchen blaze (From Tewkesbury Admag)

Six pets die in kitchen blaze

SIX family pets died after they were overcome with smoke when fire gutted the kitchen of a Bourton home last Sunday.

Two fire crews from Stow were called to the blaze at the house in Folly Field, Bourton, at around 3.45pm.

The fire started while the woman owner was out of the house. Despite efforts by firefighters to resuscitate the pets - two spaniel dogs, three cats and a cockatiel - using oxygen, they were all declared dead at the scene.

The cockatiel was found dead in the living room, while the dogs and cats had all tried to escape the smoke by going to an upstairs bedroom. They were found hiding beneath a bed.

Station officer Pete Muckle said: "It was distressing for our crews and for the neighbours who alerted us when they saw smoke coming out of the kitchen window.

"The house was very smoke-logged. We got them out and tried to give them oxygen but they were dead."

The woman householder, who returned home when the fire crews were still at the scene, was very distressed, said Mr Muckle.

The RSPCA was asked to attend.