He may be called Timmy, but this 23-year-old cat has earned the nickname Lucky. The aged cat was unconscious when he was rescued by firefighters from his burning home.

But with the aid of some carefully administered oxygen, the cat was revived and is now recovering well.

Three teams of firefighters were called to the blaze at a house in Thorpe Bay Gardens. Southend station officer Eddie Brennan said: "While we were putting out the flames, the owners returned and told us there was a cat in the house.

Firefighter Carl Pullen rescued him. He was in a bad way, but Carl stabilised him and gave him some oxygen and he very slowly came round."

Vet Hugh Gilmore said: "Timmy is now eating, drinking and purring. He is as well as can be expected at this stage. He has been very lucky. We'll keep an eye on him as lung damage can build up over several days."

Homeowners Mr and Mrs Kench are now organising a clear up operations in their three-storey house.

Smoked out - Mell Bowen, 24, nurse at vets Downes and partners with Timmy the cat

Picture: STEPHEN LLOYD

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