Only two cats survived blaze at cattery

The accidental fire, which swept through Pinetrees Cattery in Huntington, Cannock, on Friday killed 20 pets.

It was previously thought some cats had escaped, but owner Lynn Durnall has now confirmed all are accounted for.

The two cats which survived the blaze, one of which is owned by Mrs Durnall, are being treated at E C Straiton and Partners vets in Penkridge. Mrs Durnall, who has run the cattery for more than 20 years, has spoken about her anguish, saying she has been unable to sleep since the blaze.

The mother-of-three says her ten-month-old cat Ollie was so badly burned that he was unrecognisable. Mrs Durnall only discovered he was hers after all the other cats had been accounted for.

Mrs Durnall, aged 50, said: "I'm just hoping he'll pull through. We've lost three of our cats, so we're grieving for them, but all these other cats have been coming here for so long that they're all very special to me.

"Their owners are all like family. I'm grieving for everyone.

"I know how strongly people feel for their pets, so telling everyone was the hardest part, and there's still two to tell."

Owners, catteries, vets and members of the public have flocked to the cattery's website expressing their condolences and offering help. Those who lost their cats in the blaze have also left messages, talking of their grief. One user named Katie Molly Jessie left a message on the cattery website saying: "I have lost all my babies today and I'm heartbroken. Never knew there was so much pain for one to feel."

Meanwhile, Joanne and Paul said: "Our beautiful little boy, Smudge, aged five, died today in a horrific devastating accident which I can't help thinking was needless and shouldn't have happened."

Mrs Durnall said all the correct safety procedures were in place at Pinetrees and that Staffordshire Fire and Rescue chiefs have deemed the blaze "accidental".