Snakes and tarantula saved from blaze in Moxley
Snakes, parrots and a tarantula were rescued after a house fire in Moxley today.
Dogs and cats were also saved after the blaze broke out at the address in Curtin Drive.
Crews were called to the property at 8.45am after the fire ripped through the back bedroom of the two storey semi- detached home, destroying it. The rest of the house suffered 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. Iside they discovered the animals – two corn snakes called Monty and Jake, cats Scamp and Cat, two parrots, an African grey called Charlie and a blue headed conure called Olly, and a tarantula called Harry. Two dogs, a Staffie called Breeze and rottweiler cross called Bronte, were also found in the garden.
Mother-of-two Tracey Jones, who lives at the property was dropping off her 12-year-old-son Nathan at school when her friend Louise, who also lives in Curtin Drive, rang to alert her to the fire. "My mind went blank," said the 36-year-old, also mother to 15-year-old Luke.
"She said there was a fire and I needed to get home right away. I said 'do whatever you can to get the animals out'. I raced back."She added: "I'm gutted. It's devastating. I don't have any insurance. We've lost everything; Christmas presents, electronics. The council said they will find me somewhere to stay tomorrow.
"It could have been a lot worse. My kids are my life. 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."
