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”.
