FOUR cats died after a faulty washing machine caught fire and destroyed a kitchen in a house in Lewisham.

Firefighters from Downham rescued five cats from the fire in Ghent Street at 6.10pm yesterday (December 18).

Four of the cats died later of smoke inhalation from the fire, which completely destroyed the kitchen and caused smoke damage throughout the house.

The fire was reported by the occupier when she returned home from the shops.

The mother-of-five had reported the faulty washing machine to an engineer earlier that day after it broke down.

The family will have to be rehoused said a spokesman for the fire service.