Firefighters who were called out to a suspected blaze got something of a shock when they forced entry into a flat - only to discover a scene straight from “the Amazon”.

Crews were surrounded by rabbits, lizards and exotic birds when they entered the property in Knowles House, Neville Gill Close, at about 10.30pm on Monday.

Two fire engines from Wandsworth station, one from Tooting, another from Battersea and a hydraulic platform from Clapham fire station were called to the suspected fire.

However, the 20 firefighters who arrived discovered the cause of the problem was a man burning large quantities of incense or joss sticks on the seventh floor.

Crews forced entry after the man refused to let them in and discovered the animal house.

Green watch manager at Wandsworth, Winston Douglas, said: “It was a little bit different.

“If you can imagine - plants, hay on the floor, bamboo strung up to create an area for birds to sit on.

“Rabbits, lizards, a lot of flies and cockroaches. Honestly it was like walking into the Amazon.”

Watch manager Douglas said the matter was now being dealt with by police and Wandsworth Council’s social housing team.

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