Fulham Pet Shop Hit By Major Fire

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Many animals killed in blaze on Dawes Road

Firefighters were unable to save the lives of a number of animals caught in a blaze at at a Fulham pet store.

The fire started in the early hours of Monday morning (13th May) at The Fish Bowl on Dawes Road. 60 firefighters were called to the scene and it took them three hours to bring the blaze under control.  

No people were injured in the blaze, which damaged a large part of the ground floor and basement of the shop. Fire crews evacuated 18 people from flats above the shop as a precaution.

Crews rescued a number of animals from the blaze, including several rabbits, guinea pigs, snakes, and lizards. Sadly a number of animals, including three cats, three parrots, some rabbits, guinea pigs, hamsters, and mice died in the fire, most likely from smoke inhalation. A number of tropical fish are also thought to have died, due to the sudden rise in temperature.

The shop had been in the area for almost 50 years, and the building is believed to date back to 1846. The building did not have any smoke alarms or fire detection system according to London Fire Brigade.

Station Manager Matthew Burrows, who was at the scene, said: “Firefighters did very well in this challenging fire and managed to save the lives of lots of animals. The shop has been badly damaged in the blaze, and it’s very lucky that no one was hurt. Our fire investigation team is now working to find out what caused the fire.”

Eight fire engines attended the fire from Fulham, Hammersmith, Chelsea, Kensington, and Wandsworth fire stations with 58 firefighters and officers. The Brigade was called at 0139 and the fire was under control at 0431.

The cause of the fire is under investigation, though it is not thought to be suspicious.

 

May 13, 2013