Pet drags in barbecue and starts Bristol fire

A dog started a house fire in Bristol – by dragging a smouldering disposable barbecue from the garden onto the living room sofa.

Jack Russell cross Storm lived up to his name with the stunt – the smoke and flames led to firefighters being called – and rescuing a rat and a number of reptiles from the home in Kenmare Road, Knowle West.

Dog owner Jo Millett said her partner, who was in the garden, was alerted to the fire by a neighbour who heard the smoke alarm shortly after 8.45pm on Sunday.

Three fire engines attended the property and two firefighters wearing breathing apparatus dealt with the fire and rescued the animals.

Ms Millett said the barbecue had been used about three hours before Storm, who was unharmed in the incident, dragged it inside.

James Blaydon, of Avon and Fire Rescue Service, said: "The living room contained a number of pets. The owner of the property got a number of the pets. Firefighters rescued some more including a rat and a number of tanks containing various reptiles. All were OK."