Cat saves owners' house from fire by opening window

A hero cat alerted neighbours to a kitchen fire when he escaped through a window and let out billowing smoke. Three year-old Pepper — dubbed Smokey by firefighters — used a Houdini-style trick to escape after a microwave caught fire at the Stoke Gabriel property on Saturday afternoon. Frightened by the exploding glass, he leapt from his bed and up to the window. Then he used his usual party piece of nudging open the catch using his nose.

He ran to safety while the smoke billowed out behind him, alerting neighbours in Body Hayes Close. Relieved owner Phil White said: "He got out and the smoke must have been pouring out of the window and that alerted the neighbours next door." Two crews from Paignton were called to the property at 4pm to reports of smoke in the area. They used one hose reel jet, one main jet, positive pressure ventilation and a thermal image camera to ensure the fire was fully out.


Photos from SWNS.

Phil said: "There is some damage but nothing compared to what it could have been." Phil's wife Sharon added that Pepper is a law unto himself and has a fiery streak. But all is forgiven now," she said. She said that neighbours also deserve credit. Sharon said: "We are thankful that they did not just dismiss it as a bonfire.

"They rallied around and even directed the fire service here through the narrow lanes." Pepper is still a bit spooked by his ordeal. "But he is still managing to eat plenty of food," said Sharon. Crew commander Stefan Belsten said the fire was caught quickly. He said: "The cat was scared and he managed to get himself out. That's why the neighbours noticed the smoke. If he hadn't done that, the fire would have developed quite a lot."