84-Year-Old Woman Escapes House Fire with Pets, Loses Nearly All Belongings

An 84-year-old woman grabbed her pet dog and budgie before leaving her much-loved home as it became gutted by fire, her granddaughter said. Paula Fenton's bungalow in Willenhall, West Midlands, was among several homes damaged when a fire spread through gardens in the street, as firefighters tackled multiple fires in the region on Thursday. Jade Fenton, 32, said her nan lost her home and nearly all her belongings, including hearing aids, jewellery, a wedding ring and other memories of her late husband. "There's nothing left of it," said Jade. "She left in her slippers and pyjamas." Three bungalows in Stonehouse Avenue were severely damaged, with two, including Paula's home, losing their roofs completely. Fires, including one in Stourbridge where 19 homes were destroyed, prompted a government warning to millions of phones on Friday. People were warned not to light anything that could spark a wildfire during the drought and heatwave conditions. Prime Minister Andy Burnham has described the country as like "a tinderbox". Jade said her nan was alerted by the smell of burning from the living room on Thursday afternoon and fled to join neighbours in the street who were also raising the alarm. The community "were brilliant," she said, and pulled together to put out flames, using hoses in gardens, while waiting for fire crews who were dealing with other incidents. Her nan grabbed her "blind and diabetic" Yorkshire terrier Molly and pet budgie before leaving the property, said Jade. "I think she is still in shock. I feel so bad for her," she said, adding the bungalow was now "a shell". "All the window and doors have melted and everything has gone," she said. Despite this, Jade said it was fortunate no-one died as a result of the fire. She said her nan's conservatory "had a lot of plastic" which she believed took the brunt of a lot of the heat and flames. Jade said it was the personal items which will be most missed. She said her grandfather died 10 years ago and her nan had happened to take off the gold wedding ring she wore, about half an hour before the fire. "Nan is sad and devastated really and had enjoyed living independently especially," she said.