Audrey’s blast pets found alive under rubble

WE shell not be moved: Audrey and Scott Lomas of Probe Diving Services with terrapins George and Mildred

A PENSIONER whose house was destroyed in the Shaw explosion has been reunited with the pets she thought were dead.

Audrey Cleaver (68) was left heartbroken after her house was demolished last week, after it was declared structurally unsafe following the blast.

But it wasn’t 23 years of memories that Audrey was crying over, but her beloved terrapins, George and Mildred.

Her daughter, Jill Wild, said: “It was devastating to her that they were still in the house.”

The property — 5 Buckley Street — was demolished on Friday, taking with it all hope the pets would be found alive. But minutes later Audrey was astonished when workmen told her the pair had been found in the rubble — alive and well

Jill continued: “We just didn’t think we’d see them again and my mum is absolutely overjoyed.

“By the time they were found they hadn’t had food or water for 11 days.” The pets were checked by a vet and were given the all-clear, before being moved to Probe Diving Services, in Lees Road.

They will be housed there until Audrey moves into her new home in August.


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