Lucky escape: Victor Bywater was able to escape a fire at his Greater Manchester home when he was woken up by his pet cat As fire began to engulf his house, businessman Victor Bywater slept soundly. He woke only when his cat Crystal leapt on his bed, bouncing and miaowing frantically. Alerted to the danger, Mr Bywater, 50, fled through the flames and smoke to safety. But tragically, the black and white moggy who saved his life perished in the blaze. His other cat, Fudge, escaped the inferno but has not been seen since. Last night Mr Bywater, who is said to be devastated by Crystal’s death, remained in hospital in a serious condition with burns to his head and damage to his lungs from smoke inhalation.
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Victor Bywater was able to escape when his pet cat Crystal woke him up
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Crystal didn't survive the fire in Timperley, Greater Manchester
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Mr Bywater's detached home may be demolished due to fire damage
Hero: @placeholder saved his owner's life by waking him up but the pet was unable to escape the fire