Fundraising drive launched to help Stourbridge couple hit by aviary fire

Fire ripped through the 18ft building in the back garden of Steve and Jill Harborne’s home in Bredon Avenue in the early hours of April 8.

Although the couple managed to put the fire out themselves, they were unable to save the birds in time.

Daughter Bryony Harborne said: "Mum and dad were left absolutely devastated. We're not 100 per cent sure what caused the fire, but we believe it could have been an electrical fault.

"The heat must have been so intense that some of the birds had melted altogether and stuck to something else.

"There were 40 adult birds, mostly canaries and quails. But there were also 40 baby quail chicks that had only just been born.

"My dad has always had an interest with anything to do with birds. He used to breed them before going into the Royal Navy.

"Since leaving the Royal Navy, my dad, who is 52, has health issues of his own and has since retired from work. He resumed breeding birds because it was really good for him."

It could have been even worse as the couple also kept three ferrets in the aviary, but luckily they had been moved only a couple days before the fire.

They also have two dogs and a parrot.

Steve and Jill, both now retired, had spent around £3,000 developing the aviary over the past year and now Bryony is determined to help them start again.

She has set up an online fundraising page in an attempt to try and raise £2,000 to buy a new aviary.

Briony said: "We've already had a brilliant response and one person has even offered them a couple of canaries.

"Another person has said they will provide some equipment, such as drinking bottles which are attached to the cages "The birds were really my dad's interest, as mum prefers the ferrets and this has hit him really hard.

"I really hope people will help, because the birds meant everything to them."

Anyone who would like to help should go to www.gofundme.com/savetheaviary