A woman has been reunited with her army of pets, which amazingly managed to survive a house fire.
Firefighters went to her home in East Crescent, Canvey, and found the 12 cats, seven chinchillas and ten spiders still alive.
The middle-aged woman, who has not been named, was forced to flee after her cooker caught fire.
However, before she left she managed to close the door to the conservatory, where the cats and spiders were housed.
That action helped to reduce the amount of smoke seeping in.
The woman also flung a blanket over the chinchillas' cage, which was in the kitchen.
Sub officer Mike James, from Canvey fire station, said it was amazing the animals had survived.
He said: "Two of the firefighters had to go in wearing breathing apparatus."
The fire, at around 8.20pm yesterday, destroyed the cooker.
Published Wednesday, May 28, 2003
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereComments are closed on this article