FIREFIGHTERS rescued 12 pet rats

Bexley Express: "Pet Rats Rescued from Major Blaze

27 July 2005
FIREFIGHTERS rescued 12 pet rats from a fiery grave when called to a garden centre blaze last week.

Flames burst through the Wyevale Garden Centre in Oakley Road, Keston, at around 1.20pm last Wednesday after the blaze spread from an adjacent field.

The rodents were 'rescued unharmed' in their cages.

The garden centre suffered 30 per cent damage.

A huge cloud of smoke was thrown across the area. Nearby residents were advised to stay indoors with their windows closed.

Hamesh Patel, 13, saw the drama unfold from his classroom window at nearby Ravensborne School.

He said: 'We saw clouds of black smoke from the edge of the school coming over the fences and I caught a glimpse of the fire.'

The school and a church were evacuated amid fears the fire could spread. Also evacuated were houses in Oakley Road, Hastings Road and Croydon Road.

The blaze at the garden centre, which contains chemicals and domestic gas cylinders, was tackled by 60 firefighters.

Wyevale staff were unavailable to comment on the incident.

Officers are investigating the cause of the fire."

very lucky rats...how many lives do they have left?