FIFTY pigeons died after a shed accidentally caught fire in Whitley.

The owner of 70 pigeons had been burning off some waste, on Callington Road, Whitley, and thought he had put the fire out, only to return and find that the shed which housed his pigeons was ablaze.

A crew from Whitley Wood was called to the address at around quater to 11 last night.

Crew manager, Chris Davidson, said: "The shed which had all the pigeons caught fire and it was completely destroyed. There was also a second part to the shed which was 30 percent damaged, and that is why about 19-20 pigeons survived.

"The owner was quite upset he was quite attached and he had to help a few along the way.

"They were baby pigeons and I think they were racing ones." 

The crew left the scene after an hour.