Sixteen pets and one resident rescued by firefighters

A fire in a Southampton home on Grainger Gardens was quickly contained by firefighters from Hightown and St Mary’s fire stations in the early hours of Wednesday morning (8 February).

At approximately 2am, crews were alerted to the blaze and were able to provide life-saving fire survival guidance to occupants trapped inside. 

One of the residents was able to evacuate the property before the arrival of the firefighters, however, another resident, along with a total of nine dogs and seven cats, were rescued from the burning building.

The fire, which originated in the ground-floor kitchen, was swiftly put out by firefighters wearing breathing apparatus and using hose reels and jets. The fire crews also used ventilation fans to clear the property of smoke, ensuring the safety of the rescued occupants and pets.

The swift response and bravery of the Hightown and St Mary’s firefighters prevented what could have been a disastrous outcome. The fire crews left the scene shortly before 3am, and community safety messaging was delivered to residents in the area.

No injuries have been reported, and the cause of the fire is currently under investigation.