Kentish Town woman mourns cat that saved her from house fire

While Jolly Kanjalal managed to escape the blaze in her bare feet, she is now mourning after her beloved pet cat Suki died during the fire that destroyed her Lupton Street home in Kentish Town last Friday (January 20).

The fire reportedly started just before 7.10am, but Ms Kanjalal was fast asleep and unaware of the smoke filling the room and the spreading flames – claiming that the smoke detector and heat sensors were not working.

Three women managed to escape a blaze in a converted house in Lupton Street, Kentish Town (Image: London Fire Brigade)

Housing association PA Housing claims “no faults” with the smoke detectors were reported.

• READ MORE: Woman suffers smoke inhalation after blaze

Recalling the tragedy, Ms Kanjalal said: “My cat saved my life. My poor darling Suki kept pawing at my face, I kept saying stop it, it’s still dark.

“Then I heard crackling and she was still pawing at my face. I looked up and the window in my bedroom was quickly orange.”

Suki, who also went by the name Suki Bear, died in the Kentish Town fire (Image: Jolly Kanjalal)

Devastatingly, by the time Ms Kanjalal, who is disabled, had got out of bed, the cat had run off.

Ms Kanjalal continued: “I was calling her and calling her, and I couldn’t find her.

“It was the cat that woke me up. She saved my life and she died. My baby died.”

“She was ten years old; she was my companion and my friend. She was an incredible little cat. I can’t even bury her. She was in the garden, and I can’t get through the flat to get her.”

Jolly Kanjalal is left devastated after losing her homes of over 30 years, her belongings and her cat Suki (Image: Jolly Kanjalal)

Suki was described as a feline with a “great personality” and "her own person”.

Ms Kanjalal described how the tortoiseshell moggy helped her get through lockdown as she struggled with isolation.

And she said it is difficult coming to terms that her home for 36 years has been blackened by the fire, with some vintage items burnt to a crisp.

An image showing some of the damages in the fire (Image: Jolly Kanjalal)

Part of the first floor and second floor of the house, which had been converted into flats, were destroyed by flames, as well as a small part of a conservatory on the ground floor, the London Fire Brigade said.

Ms Kanjalal's home contained family heirlooms, a dining chair from the 1950s, ceramics from the 1960s and a wide collection of vintage clothing and jewellery.

Many of her personal belongings and art were also damaged.

The retired history teacher said: “I have so much stuff, I think I have at least £15,000 worth of stuff. I collect vintage clothing to wear, I can’t replace anything.”

Since the incident she has been staying at a hotel covered by PA Housing, but says there has been “no reassurance” and little communication about her future.

Another image showing damage inside the flat (Image: Jolly Kanjalal)

Ian Watts, executive director of customer services at PA Housing, said: “We’re really sorry that Jolly hasn’t been supported in the way she’d expect, and we will make sure a dedicated case worker keeps in regular contact moving forward and supplies the updates she needs.”

He added that the “immediate priority” has been to provide short-term temporary accommodation, but the team is discussing “longer-term support” as repairs are made.

The London Fire Brigade says the fire is believed to be accidental, but its cause is recorded as “undetermined”.

A friend has set up a fundraising page to support Ms Kanjalal. To donate visit: https://gofund.me/b257a1cc