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Fatal Wolverhampton house fire was accidental and 'involved damaged extension cable'

A house fire which killed a woman and three dogs is believed to have been started accidentally.

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The scene of a fatal house fire on Spring Road, Ettingshall

The blaze broke out shortly at around 2.15am on Wednesday at the home on Spring Road, Ettingshall, Wolverhampton, and spread to both floors of the two-storey home.

Two men managed to escape the fire - with one of them jumping from a first floor window to safety - but a woman and three dogs were pronounced dead at the scene.

One man was treated for serious injuries, including burn injuries, and another was treated for the effects of smoke inhalation before both were taken to hospital.

West Midlands Fire Service has said it's believed the fire started accidentally.

A spokesman said: "Our thoughts remain with everyone affected by this incident.

"Our fire investigators believe the fire started accidentally and involved a damaged extension cable."

Neighbours have paid tribute to those caught up in the fire as they recalled seeing the smoke and hearing noises.

Marion Brown, 35, who lives next door with her family husband and three children, had to evacuate her home.

She said: "I know them, but I don't know what has happened fully.

"When I heard the first noise it was around 2:15am, because my daughter woke up. I thought maybe it was the neighbours dog or something at first.

"But then I heard noises of people struggling, and I thought 'that is quite loud' because at that time everything is quiet.

"Before I could get my thoughts together I heard a loud noise, which sounded like a mirror breaking.

"I came down to look and I could just see smoke. I ran out with my kids and I could see the neighbour on the roof. I rang 999 and I was screaming 'there's a fire, Ettingshall, Spring Road'.

"They sent three fire engines, the fire and everything happening was a lot to see. I know them, I say hello, how are you, if I see them.

"They are very nice people. We evacuated and stayed next door while it happened, I had my 6-month-old in my arms."

Flowers have been left at the scene of the fire

Six firefighters wearing breathing apparatus extinguished the fire, using hose reel jets.

Three fire engines and a brigade response vehicle responded, crewed by firefighters from Bilston, Wolverhampton and Dudley. The first appliance arrived three minutes after being mobilised, fire chiefs said.

Two ambulances, two paramedic officers, a MERIT trauma doctor and a HART paramedic were sent to the scene.

A spokesman for West Midlands Ambulance Service added: "A man was treated for serious injuries, including burn injuries, before being taken to Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Birmingham.

"A second man was treated for the effects of smoke inhalation before being taken to New Cross Hospital for further assessment."

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