by Thom Morris

tmorris@thekmgroup.co.uk

Firefighters have rescued more than 30 animals from a house in Ashford after a blaze broke out yesterday morning.

The fire broke out shortly after 7am and is believed to have started because of a faulty freezer connection. A woman who lived in the house was taken to the William Harvey Hospital suffering from the effects of smoke inhalation.

Four dogs, two cats, two rats, four baby rabbits, a mother rabbit, three adult rabbits and three guinea pigs, were rescued from the home in Albermarle Road, Willesborough. In addition, six rabbits and six guinea pigs were rescued from a shed in the garden.

The RSPCA were called after two fire engines attended. Crews from Ashford fitted smoke alarms and dropped leaflets in the area to remind people of their importance.

RSPCA officer Kelly Feeley, said: "Due to the prompt action of the fire crews, who quickly got the animals out of the house and removed them to a safe distance, none of them were hurt. Then it was a case of us checking them over to make sure they were all right and providing food and water."

The RSPCA has now handed the animals to a relative of the home owner to be cared for until the fire damage to the house is repaired.