Cats killed in house fire

A couple's pet cats were killed in a blaze which wrecked their kitchen and bathroom while they were out shopping.

Firefighters were called to the home in Chapel Street, Hagley, near Stourbridge, at 8.15pm yesterday.

They spent two hours at the scene of the fire which gutted the kitchen and severely damaged the bathroom.

Other rooms were clogged with smoke and had to be ventilated by fire crews. A neighbour's home was also affected by the smoke. Officers today said their investigation indicated the blaze had broken out in the kitchen. They believe one of the rings on the cooker had either been left on accidentally or was faulty, setting fire to a pan of oil.

Leading firefighter Mick Rowlands, of Kidderminster Fire Station, said it had been a severe blaze which had needed two crews to bring under control.

"The couple lost their two pet cats in the fire which they were understandably very upset about," he said.