Amazon removes heat pad which killed four kittens after catching fire

Amazon has removed a HUAYUU pet heating pad after one burst into flames killing four kittens. The £15.99 pad caught fire on the 24 September, the same day the item arrived according to the kittens’ owner Belinda Carr, 59, who said she tested the product before giving it to the cats. Carr says she was awoken in the night by one of her cats who rubbed her face, something the cat supposedly never does, and caught the smell of burning sugar. Upon smelling the scent, Carr went to investigate finding the pad and carpet on fire, Carr was only able to rescue one of the kittens and threw the pad into the bath. Carr said: “I’m very angry with Amazon. I have been a very loyal customer for many years. ‘It’s annoying they are making money out of items like this. I had a fire many years ago that nearly killed my son. It’s devastating and disheartening. It was dreadful, honest to god. “Thank God she woke me up, if she didn’t I would have been gone with my house. I’m devastated. I tested it beforehand to make sure it was safe before I went to bed.” “One of my cats started to rub my face. I thought she just wanted attention, so I told her to go to bed. But, she kept going. ‘I smelt a weird smell like burnt sugar before I turned on the lights to see the heat mat and the carpet was on fire.” She added: “It’s heartbreaking to see Vito [the mother cat] like this. She carries the last kitten, Monto, with her all the time and is constantly looking for the other kittens meowing. She’s heartbroken. It’s her first litter.” Her son, Chris Gould, 32, also added: “It’s a simple unit, plug in and heat. No control switch. What annoyed me was that no British company or Amazon tests these for BSS standards.” A spokesman for Amazon said: “We are deeply saddened by this incident and are in touch with the customer. The product, bought from a third party seller, is no longer available. All Marketplace sellers must follow our selling guidelines and those who don’t will be subject to action including potential removal of their account.” Pet Gazette has contacted HUAYUU for comment.