Two pets survived a flat fire in Tolworth this afternoon.
Firefighters from New Malden and Surbiton were called to Tolworth Rise South at 4.30pm, to reports of smoke emitting from a studio flat on the top floor of a block of flats.
Crews broke into the property and found a fire in the kitchen area.
The blaze was put out within the hour.
Surbiton fire station's temporary green watch manager Matt Wright said: "We broke in as we weren't sure if anyone was inside.
"We searched the area but the cat was right under the table and we couldn't see it at first.
"The owner of the flat came back and said her cat was inside. Luckily the smoke level hadn't gone down to the ground.
"We went back in and got the cat. It is fine as far as we know. There was also a turtle, and that was OK too."
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