BARRY & DISTRICT NEWS (Vale of Glamorgan, UK) 20 December 07 Snakes alive!
Firefighters who were called to a blaze at a Barry home this week had a shock - when they had to rescue a seven foot boa constrictor!
The family of four living in the house in Shelley Road were unhurt in the fire - which broke out as they slept - but they were unable to grab their pet snake and two Japanese Akita dogs as they fled their home.
Ten firefighters fought the blaze, which started shortly after midnight and caused severe smoke damage to the first floor.
It is thought to have started when a tea light, which had just been put out, was blown from the television onto the floor and reignited when the householder closed the living room door.
After hearing a noise, the 28-year-old, who had gone to bed, went down and discovered the living room on fire.
He led his 27-year-old partner and children aged 10 and four to safety, but needed the help of firefighters to rescue the pets.
Barry Fire Station Watch Manager Nigel Morgan said: "There was a glass case with a snake in.
"It was a six to seven-foot-long common boa constrictor.
"The owner came in with us and we put the snake in a pillow case.
"It was covered in black soot and a little bit distressed because it was supposed to be sleeping at that time of the day!"
Nigel, who has worked for the fire service for more than 29 years, added: "Over the years we've had quite a lot of unusual pets - but it's not on a regular basis!"
He is now urging people to stay safe from fire this festive season and extinguish tea lights by pouring a tiny amount of water on them.
Nigel added: "Half an hour later and it could have been a lot worse."
And South Wales Fire and Rescue Services' Chief Fire Officer, Brian Fraser, urged people to take extra care with Christmas lights, candles and decorations to prevent accidental fires in the home.
Snakes alive!

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• GBR Press: Firefighters save snake - W von Papineäu, Sun Dec 23 12:25:49 2007