Eric Bicknell was devastated after a fire ripped through his aviary in Freemantle and killed 30 birds

Eric Bicknell could only watch in horror as his aviary in his back garden of his Southampton home was destroyed in a matter of second - the heat too intense for him to save his beloved birds.

The fire, believed to have started in a shed backing onto Beech Road and Victory Road in Freemantle, killed all 28 of his quail which he was planning to breed and two baby chickens.

The blaze also completely destroyed four sheds, fences and hedges belonging to six properties both in Beech Road and Victory Road.

Yesterday fire and police officers were at the scene as their investigations into the cause of what started the fire continued.

A total of 14 fire-fighters from Redbridge Hill, St Mary’s and Totton Fire Station battled the flames to stop it spreading but couldn't save the birds.

At around 3.20pm on Sunday, Mr Bicknell, 70, was watching TV at home when he saw smoke outside, but had no idea how severe the fire would become.

He quickly rang the fire brigade along with other concerned residents but nothing could save his aviary which he has had for 38 years.

Mr Bicknell, said: “I saw a shed alight and I did not think it would come my way.

"I quickly phoned the fire brigade, but by the time I had phoned them it had jumped over and caught my hedge and then the aviary caught fire.

“It took only a matter of seconds for it to burn down and because the heat was so intense I could not get near it in time to get the birds out.”

Mr Bicknell has been keeping birds all of his life, first starting in his childhood.

Struggling to hold back his emotions, Mr Bicknell added: “I have not had any sleep since it happened, I still can’t stop shaking, I am completely devastated.

“Going to the aviary kept me going, it was my passion and was something for me to do. A day after the fire I went out to feed them but then realised they had gone.”

Not only did the fire completely gut the great grandad's aviary but his shed, which contained £3,000 worth of equipment including a lawnmower, a hedge trimmer and a chainsaw and other electrical items was also destroyed.

He also lost a yucca tree, which was of huge sentimental value as it belonged to his late wife.

Mr Bicknell fears he may never be able to look after birds again due to the cost involved in rebuilding the aviary.

Other residents affected by the fire had their sheds and fences destroyed, one of them was Justin Sanders and his family who had only moved to the area in June.

Mr Sanders praised fire-fighters who helped prevent the fire spreading any further.

He said: “I am very grateful for the work the fire brigade did, they were very professional and there actions have saved all these homes.”