Fire-fighters called to extinguish a blaze at an apartment in New York were shocked to discover it filled with a menagerie of dangerous animals, including cobras, pythons, black widow spiders, tarantulas and alligators. The fire-fighters, battled the fire whilst stepping over escaped snakes and spiders, successfully saved all but two cobras, and they are now recovering at an animal sanctuary. The owner, who did not hold a valid licence for all of the animals, is subject to a police investigation.