Cockatiel Saves Owner From Fire

The bird chirped so loudly the gentleman woke up, having apparently fallen asleep after lunch.

Bexhill fire crews were sent out to the incident on Saturday afternoon at approximately 3pm, and found the gentleman already outside his flat in Sea Road.

They extinguished the fire and then took care of the bird, taking the cage outside to give the creature some fresh air and get it away from the smoke.

Watch Commander Grahame Hobden said: "The bird alerted him to the fire

- the chirping woke him up. Then he did all the right things - he got himself out and didn't go back inside or put himself into further danger.

"Obviously if we turn up and people tell us there is a dog or cat or pet inside we will do our utmost to help."