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Warstock family loses home in fire, gerbils survive

A family in Warstock, Birmingham, lost their home in a fire on 13 August, with only their two gerbils surviving the blaze.

  • The fire on Gorleston Road, Warstock, destroyed the family home on 13 August.
  • Paul Stephens and five other family members, including two children, lost their belongings.
  • The family's two gerbils, Snowy and Fluffy, were found alive after the fire.

Paul Stephens and his family lost their home on Gorleston Road in Warstock, Birmingham, to a fire on 13 August. Mr Stephens was sunbathing in his garden when flames began to spread towards his house.

The fire reportedly started near a park where overgrown grass and scrubland allowed it to spread through 35 gardens. Mr Stephens stated that he could see smoke from about 30 houses away before it took over.

The family, which includes two children aged seven and nine, lost almost everything they owned, including wedding memorabilia, electronics, and clothes. However, their two gerbils, Snowy and Fluffy, were found alive in their downstairs living room enclosure the day after the fire.

The family has been staying in temporary Airbnb accommodation. Mr Stephens, who has severe neuropathy, requires accessible housing suitable for a family of six. Community members have donated clothes and tablets to the children.

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