A HOUSE fire in Wollescote that claimed the lives of family pets is believed to have started accidentally, the fire service has said.

More than 30 firefighters from stations including Stourbridge, Brierley Hill, Haden Cross, Dudley, Tipton and Woodgate Valley were deployed to the incident in Spring Street on Monday February 13.

The first crew arrived on the scene within three minutes of being called at 4.45pm, fire chiefs said.

But the “severe” blaze which affected the ground floor and first floor of the two-storey end terraced house claimed the lives of four family pets, West Midlands Fire Service has confirmed.

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Initial reports suggested two dogs had been found deceased, but updated information later confirmed three dogs and a hamster had died.

A spokesperson for the fire service said: “Firefighters used breathing apparatus, hose reel jets and a covering jet to extinguish the fire, which extensively damaged the ground and first floors of the two-storey property.

“All people were accounted for but, sadly, three dogs and a hamster were confirmed to have died.”