Peacehaven couple ran into their burning home to save their pets

Sandie Smith, 70, and Patrick Treen, 64, said they watched their “life go up in flames” after a fire broke out in their Central Avenue home in Peacehaven.

The couple worked frantically to rescue their 24 pets as the blaze began to engulf their house.

Patrick, who has had several heart attacks, crawled along the floor of the burning home through thick smoke to rescue the last of the cats trapped in the house.

He said: “There was no way I was coming out without that last cat.

“It’s making me feel tearful just thinking about it.

“I was laying on the floor as she was hiding in the cupboard. I was trying to drag her out but she was clinging on to the carpet. I stood up and all I could see was the light from the open front door so I made for that quickly.”

Patrick was alerted to the fire when one of the cats came inside the house “looking terrified” at about 5.45am.

The blaze started at the back of the house and when he went out into the garden he saw flames on the tool shed, kitchen and the roof.

Patrick woke Sandie to tell her the house was on fire and that they needed to leave.

Sandie, who has owned the house since the 1980s, rushed to save the chinchillas from a hutch in the back yard.

She then stood outside in her nightie as she watched her home burn.

She said: “I was standing on the other side of the road and one of my neighbours was hanging on to me. I was watching these flames shooting up through the roof and I turned to her and said ‘that is my life going up in flames’.”

In total four cats, four chinchillas, two rabbits and six chickens were rescued from the fire. But eight quail died in the flames.

The couple said memories from both their families “going back generations” which were stored in the attic have now been lost.

These included sentimental family photos and other memorabilia.

Sandie said: “It is horrendous, I wouldn’t like to put anybody through it. I wouldn’t even wish it for my worst enemy.”

Six engines were called to help put out the blaze which broke out on April 20. But the rescue effort was delayed by 15 minutes as firefighters could not find a pump on the road with water pressure.

They had to instead use water from nearby St Peter’s Avenue.

Sandie said she saw “frustration in the faces” of the firefighters at the scene. She is concerned the problem may also affect the emergency service’s response if a fire broke out in a nearby school.

The couple are now looking for somewhere to live in the Peacehaven and Telscombe area with their animals.

They are appealing for landlords in the area to get in touch.

They are currently living in a hotel, but said living with their animals would bring “peace of mind” while they face their “ongoing nightmare”.

They also wished to thank everyone who has helped them out.

Sandie said: “I would really like to say that the wonderful people on our street have been amazing.

“I can’t imagine any way I can imagine ever repay them for their kindness.”

One neighbour has set up a fundraiser to help the couple.

It can be found here.