Phil McFarlane, from Staffordshire Fire and Rescue Service, said the blaze had initially "engulfed" the building and added that tackling the fire had been difficult because of the number of cats being looked after at the site.

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Both side's last league action was back on 28 December following the spate of postponements because of the weather - and Black Cats boss Steve Bruce chose to take his team to the Algarve in the meantime in a bid to inspire them to a first win in eight league games.

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Some of the big cats have been killed because they are perceived to be a threat to livestock, and competition for land and over-hunting of their prey have reduced their numbers even further.

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When she came to visit, everything had to be oriented to accommodate her: the foods she required, the quietest room with the proper light, the cats farmed out to friends because of her allergies.

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That certainly did not impress Bruce, although the Black Cats manager had to be told what had happened because of a long-standing superstition not to watch penalties.

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His two cats, Ashley and Coco, don't like Passover because of the limited diet.

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