Family's heartbreak after pet dog dies in blaze

2:54pm Friday 18th July 2008

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A FAMILY pet dog has died after fire broke out in a house in Worcester’s Warndon Villages.

The dog died after being overcome by smoke which billowed through the five-bedroomed home when the family’s tumble dryer caught fire.

The family, who were too upset to comment, had left the dryer on at their Hemsley Place home while they went to the cinema. Neighbours called Hereford and Worcester Fire and Rescue service at 7.30pm and two fire crews were sent from Worcester to tackle the blaze.

The family-of-five, including three children, aged 10, six and four, were distraught when they returned home and discovered the death of their dog and goldfish and extensive smoke damage to their home.

Peter Gray, from the British Red Cross, which helped look after the family between 9pm and 2am, said: “The fire itself was limited but the smoke caused the real damage in the house. They were really upset and the children have lost all their toys.”

The tragedy has prompted firefighters to warn people not to leave electrical appliances on when they go out.

Alec Mackie, spokesman for the fire service, said: “We would like to issue a warning to householders that they should never leave things like washing machines, tumble dryers and electrical instruments or appliances on unattended.

“These sorts of things happen quite frequently up and down the country.

“If you are going to put it on make sure you are still in the house.”