Cat Alerts Family As Ash Triggers House Fire | Stuff.co.nz

TERRI RUSSELL AND NEIL RATLEY

NICOLE GOURLEY/Fairfax NZ

BIG MESS: The kitchen of an Invercargill house that was badly damaged in a house fire yesterday

A cat jumping on the bed of an Invercargill man may have saved his family's life when a fire destroyed part of their Maitland St home yesterday.

George Clarke said he woke when the family cat jumped on his bed about 3am, before smelling smoke and realising something was wrong.

After seeing the flames engulfing the back of the house, he rushed to get his partner, Stephanie Fitzgerald, and their son Aaron Clarke, 17, outside.

Neighbour Erika Horsham, 17, said she saw a flicker of flames through her curtains, accompanied by loud screams and the ring of the door bell.

She woke her parents who called the fire service and welcomed the family into their home.

Before finishing a cup of tea, George Clarke was taken to Southland Hospital with smoke inhalation.

He was discharged about 11am yesterday and returned to the home. There was no sign of the cat, which had probably made itself scarce, he said.

"They told me to buy a Lotto ticket. Got to look at the bright side, the damage is done and there's nothing we can do about it."

Invercargill senior station officer Alan Goldsworthy said the smoke initially made it difficult for firefighters to establish which house was on fire.

The rear of the house was well alight and the fire had spread into the roof area before quickly spreading through the rest of the property.

The house was extensively damaged, he said.

"About 50 per cent of the house was damaged by fire and the entire property suffered heavy smoke and water damage."

The cause of the fire was believed to be hot ashes which were disposed of in a carport. The ashes ignited and the flames spread to the house, he said.

Ashes should be disposed of into a metal container with a close-fitting lid, he said.

"The tins should be stored away from other combustible items and people should be aware ashes can stay hot for up to five days after being emptied."

- ? Fairfax NZ News

Source: http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/8835878/Cat-alerts-family-as-ash-triggers-house-fire

jennifer love hewitt 4/20 boston Cnn Live Logan airport Miranda rights Police Scanner