Neighbours desperately try to rescue pet cat as house goes up in flames

A neighbour made a brave attempt to save a pet cat from a burning house.

The terraced property, on St Matthews Road, in Edgeley, became engulfed in flames this afternoon (Tuesday, December 14).

Neighbour Kay Crosby, who lives on Derby Street, spotted the clouds of smoke streaming from the windows of the home after returning from work around 3pm.

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Knowing the group of men living in the house, she called them immediately to tell them the devastating news.

Luckily, everyone was out at work – but Kay was then told their pet cat would be stuck inside.

Panicked, she jumped over the back yard wall and opened the back door to the house, and said she heard a cat meowing but was unable to go any further due to the amount of smoke.

The effects of the fire will leave the house ‘unlivable’ says Kay.

Speaking to the M.E.N, she said: “I got home and just saw so much smoke coming out of the top window. People were on the street watching and I could hear the fire alarm going off.

“I called 999 immediately and asked for the fire brigade, it looked really bad.

“I know the group of guys who live in the house, so I called them and they told me their pet cat was potentially stuck inside and asked me to open the door to try and let it out.

“I ran and jumped over the back fence, opened the door and there was a huge cloud of black smoke that just came pouring out.

“I could see a fire downstairs and hear loud crashing from upstairs like the roof was falling in. I could hear the cat meowing but couldn’t go any further inside.”

After fire crews arrived, Kay said the pet cat had been rescued from the property but that the damage would be severe.

She also said that fire officers told her it appeared the blaze had started in the kitchen.

Fire crews were still at the scene at around 5pm.

A Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service spokesperson said: “At around 3.30pm today (Tuesday 14 December), we received reports of a fire at a mid-terrace house on St. Matthews Road in Edgeley.

“Three fire engines from Whitehill, Stockport and Offerton fire stations quickly attended and firefighters wearing breathing apparatus used two hose reels to extinguish the fire, which involved a ground floor kitchen.

“Crews remain in attendance at this time.”

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