Bungalow gutted in fire terror

Three dogs died when fire and explosions ripped though a bungalow near Stafford, in spite of heroic attempts by their owner, a neighbour and a passing councillor to save them.

The springer spaniels were in a run at the side of Gable Croft in Brook Lane, Ranton, when the blaze broke out yesterday afternoon.

The dormer bungalow, built by owner and former builder Ken Butters in the 1960s, and a caravan standing in front were gutted.

First neighbour Elizabeth Bedford, alerted by the smoke, tried to get down the side of the bungalow to reach the dogs but was forced to retreat with "things exploding all around me."

Then Mr Butters, with the help of Stafford borough councillor Mark Winnington, managed to get the door of the dog run open but the animals were too frightened to come out. Mr Butters and Mr Winnington were also forced to retreat.

Mr Butters and his wife, Cynthia, believed to be in their 70s, were checked over by their local doctor and have now gone to stay with family.

Mrs Bedford, who has known Mr Butters for several years, said he is a well known figure working his springers on local shoots. "They were beautifully behaved. So well behaved that even when he he partially lost his eyesight he was able to carry on working with them."

Mrs Bedford said she had friends visiting and, on hearing noises, opened the window and looked out to see smoke appearing over the garage roof.

"I went upstairs and saw the house was on fire and dialled 999. They told me an appliance was already on the way.

"Then I put my shoes and ran round the the house. My only thought was 'I've got to get those dogs out'.

"But I could hear explosions going off and my friends were shouting to me to get away and in the end I had to come away.

"Then Councillor Winnington, who was passing in his car, arrived. Mr Butters insisted on trying again to get to the dogs and Mr Winnington went with him. "They managed to get the gate to the run open but the dogs would not come out."

Councillor Winnington said the first went to check there was no-one inside the bungalow, then saw Mr Butters returning from phoning the fire brigade.

"There were four propane cylinders on fire near the house – they looked like blow torches, and the fire spread to the caravan," said Mr Winnington."