Epileptic cat that started house fire then calmly sat on fence outside watching the drama unfold

Bubba the cat set a family's kitchen on fire – then calmly sat on a fence across the street to watch the drama unfold. The 12-year-old moggy caused thousands of pounds worth of damage to the house in in Donnington, Telford, Shropshire. It is believed Bubba suffered an epileptic fit while sleeping near a stove and somehow managed to turn on an electric hob. The hob set fire to a wooden board and the resulting blaze spread throughout the kitchen.



His owner has described how she and her son feared for their lives as they waited to be rescued from their Shropshire home after smoke poured into their bedrooms. Jacky McCusker, 52, was woken by smoke pouring into her bedroom. She alerted her son, Tom, 32, and dialled 999 and waited to be rescued after realising they could not escape. Mrs McCusker said: “When we were huddled by the window waiting for the fire crew to rescue us, I spotted Bubba sitting across the road on the fence. You cannot print what I said at that moment.”



Three fire engines with 15 firefighters were called to the blaze at 6am and took just eight minutes to rescue the family from the first floor bedroom of the smoke-filled end terraced home. The pair were treated at the scene for smoke inhalation before being transferred by ambulance to Princess Royal Hospital, Telford. Mrs McCusker said she believed the cat was to blame because it wasn’t the first time one of his fits had caused a problem. She said: “Epilepsy is a lot more common in cats than you would think.



“In the past when he has been asleep and kicked out he has pushed sauce bottles off or the odd plate. I never thought anything like this could happen, but the electric oven knob only needs pushing over slightly to be turn on.” Other than a sore throat from the smoke, both mother and son were unhurt and are thankful to be alive. Asked if Bubba would remain in the doghouse for long, Mrs McCusker said: “No, it was an accident, I’m sure he didn’t mean to do it on purpose. How could I not love him, but if he does something like this again I might feel differently.”