A couple returned home last night to find their house wrecked by fire and their beloved pet dead.

Flames destroyed Michael and Pauline Quigley's kitchen and smoke damaged most of the terraced house.

The Quigleys were out of the house, in Meadow Road, Worthing, at the time but their nine-year-old cat Marley was overcome by fumes, despite firefighter's efforts to resuscitate it using breathing apparatus.

Standing outside their wrecked home, Mrs Quigley, 52, said: "We went swimming, then to a friend's for a haircut, and came round the corner to find our house ruined.

"We were doing lengths to get fit and the whole time our house was burning down.

"Luckily, all the pictures of our grandchildren will be fine when we clean them."

It is thought that the fire was caused by an electrical fault.

But Mr Quigley, 54, said: "I do not know why it happened. We've been here nearly 11 years and never had a problem with the electrics.

"I have no idea how long this is going to take to sort out."

Mr Quigley thanked the fire brigade for their efforts in tackling the blaze and for taking Marley's body away.

Sub Officer Clive Innocent, of Worthing Fire Brigade, said smoke was billowing from all the windows in the house when they arrived at 7.15pm.

He said: "There's a kitchen on the ground floor which was severely damaged by fire.

"Because all the doors were left open, there was 80 per cent severe smoke damage to the interior of the property.

"We do try to resuscitate any living creature but unfortunately the cat had already died.

"Always close interior doors before going to bed and switch off unnecessary electrical appliances."