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Pets die in blaze at Staffordshire cattery Pets die in blaze at Staffordshire cattery
(about 2 hours later)
Up to 15 cats have died and some others have escaped following a fire at a cattery in Staffordshire. Up to 15 cats could have died and some others have escaped during a fire at a cattery in Staffordshire.
About 30 firefighters were called to Pinetrees Cattery in Huntington, north of Cannock, after the alarm was raised at about 05:30 GMT. About 30 firefighters were called to Pinetrees Cattery in Huntington, north of Cannock at about 05:30 GMT.
Fire chiefs said they believed 20 cats had been housed at the Stafford Road site at the time. No cattery staff members were injured. Fire chiefs said they believed 20 cats had been housed there and that the fire was accidental, blaming an electrical fault within one of the pens.
It is thought two or three cats that escaped have fled into nearby woods. It is thought two or three cats may have fled into nearby woods. No cattery staff members were injured.
Smoke inhalation
Dermot Hogan, from Staffordshire Fire & Rescue Service, said: "The cattery owners stated that there had been over 20 cats in the cattery however some are believed to have escaped from the building after the fire broke out.
"The building has been destroyed as it was predominately a wooden structure and we've been unable to confirm so far how many cats have died in the fire."
A further two cats have been taken to a vet suffering from the effects of smoke inhalation.A further two cats have been taken to a vet suffering from the effects of smoke inhalation.
Earlier the A34 was partially blocked in both directions but has since reopened.Earlier the A34 was partially blocked in both directions but has since reopened.
"The cattery owners will be contacting the animals' owners in due course," a fire service spokesman added."The cattery owners will be contacting the animals' owners in due course," a fire service spokesman added.
Two fire engines remain at the scene.
An investigation has started to establish how the fire started, although it is thought the cause was accidental.
Owners' 'devastation'Owners' 'devastation'
Phil McFarlane, from Staffordshire Fire and Rescue Service, said the blaze had initially "engulfed" the building and added that tackling the fire had been difficult because of the number of cats being looked after at the site.Phil McFarlane, from Staffordshire Fire and Rescue Service, said the blaze had initially "engulfed" the building and added that tackling the fire had been difficult because of the number of cats being looked after at the site.
He said he believed the escaped cats had "bolted" into nearby Cannock Chase. It is not yet known exactly how many have escaped.He said he believed the escaped cats had "bolted" into nearby Cannock Chase. It is not yet known exactly how many have escaped.
Mr McFarlane added: "We're right on the edge of Cannock Chase, which is quite a rural, wooded area.Mr McFarlane added: "We're right on the edge of Cannock Chase, which is quite a rural, wooded area.
"From my 30 years experience, when any animal that is trapped by fire manages to escape, they tend to do so with immense vigour and tend to leave the scene."From my 30 years experience, when any animal that is trapped by fire manages to escape, they tend to do so with immense vigour and tend to leave the scene.
"Owners are starting to return and there is devastation around trying to [work out] which cats have survived.""Owners are starting to return and there is devastation around trying to [work out] which cats have survived."