Peppa pig recovering after being rescued from fire

Three pigs are recovering after being rescued from a fire which police are treating as a suspected arson attack.

Peppa, George, and their eight-week-old piglet Harry were caught up in the blaze in Jaywick, near Clacton in Essex, on Thursday.

Gary Clarke and Sandy Miller, from Sandy's Farm, a community care farm in nearby St Osyth, rushed to the scene once they heard about the animals.

Harry, named after the kind-hearted vet who gave him free emergency treatment, was injured in the incident and could lose an eye, Ms Miller, 54, said.

Mr Clarke said the family of pigs had been trapped under a bungalow which was one of the 10 properties involved in the fire on Beach Way.

Passers-by rushed to help rescue people and their pets as the fire, described by one onlooker as an "inferno", spread.

"As we arrived people were rallying around and they passed over the pigs to us," Mr Clarke, 54, added.

BBC Essex understands some animals did not survive.

A 47-year-old man from Jaywick, who was arrested on suspicion of arson, was released on bail until October, Essex Police said on Friday.

Peppa, George, and Harry will continue to recover at Sandy's Farm, surrounded by other animals including horses, donkeys, and chickens which have mostly been rescued.

The organisation launched two years ago and is run by volunteers.

Mr Clarke and Ms Miller set up the charity after noticing the positive impact animals had on their daughter who has a learning disability.

It mostly supports young people with special educational needs.

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