Snake rescued from blaze

A corn snake had to be resuscitated by firefighters and dozens of other exotic animals were rescued after a blaze ripped through a Black Country home.

The fire broke out in the Tipton flat early on Sunday.

An iguana, tortoises and terrapins were taken to safety from the first floor flat in Rushmere Road.

But two parrots, some gerbils and a number of exotic fish died as smoke filled the property after an electric oven ring was left on, unattended, for a number of hours.

The RSPCA rescued the animals after fire crews were called to the scene at 12.45am.

The private collection of animals belonging to the male resident of the property has now been moved to the RSPCA centre in Weoley Castle, Birmingham.

Wednesbury Fire Station Watch Commander Paul Harper said the animals’ owner was devastated by the fire.

“He had left a ring plate on an electric oven on and pulled the hood down before putting items on top if it,” he said.

“It had been on for a while and there was smoke in the flat. Two parrots, three or four gerbils and numerous exotic fish were killed. We had to use oxygen on a snake, which worked, and the RSPCA attended and took away the rest of the animals.”