Mother speaks of relief as pets rescued from Moxley house fire
A mother of two today spoke of her relief after her beloved pets were rescued from her burning Black Country home.
Snakes, parrots, dogs, cats and a tarantula were saved by fire crews who were called to the blaze at the terraced home in Curtin Drive, Moxley.
Firefighters went to the property at 8.45am yesterday after flames ripped through the back bedroom of the two-storey semi, gutting it. The rest of the house suffered 50 per cent smoke damage.
The fire is believed to have been caused by an electrical fault.
Firefighters were forced to break into the home, which was unoccupied at the time, and once inside they discovered the animals – two corn snakes called Monty and Jake, cats Scamp and Cat, an African grey parrot called Charlie and a blue headed conure parrot called Olly as well as a tarantula called Harry.
Meanwhile, two dogs in the garden, a Staffie called Breeze and rottweiler cross called Bronte were also found.
Tracey Jones, who lives at the property, said: "It could have been a lot worse. My kids are my life. If it had been overnight, I don't know what would have happened.
"The animals could have died. I'm so glad they got them all out alive. When I saw they were safe it was such a relief."
Miss Jones was dropping off her 12-year-old-son Nathan at school when her friend Louise, who also lives in Curtin Drive, rang her mobile to alert her to the fire.
"My mind went blank," said the 36-year-old, who is also mother to 15-year-old Luke.
" I said 'do whatever you can to get the animals out. I raced back."
She said: "I'm gutted. It's devastating. To come back to this. I don't have any insurance. We've lost everything; Christmas presents, electronics."
