Fire investigators believe the cats, Jesse and Dora, may have walked across a touch-sensitive hob in the kitchen and activated it.

Their owners – Reina and Andrew Ainscough – were visiting relatives for New Year with their twins when the blaze broke out.

Flames ripped through their home and a neighbouring property in Lowton, near Leigh, Greater Manchester, causing £250,000 of damage. The kittens died.

Mr Ainscough, 28, who runs a staffing agency with his wife, said: “It’s just such a freak incident.

“They can’t be sure what caused it yet but it is possible it could have been the cats.”

The Ainscoughs are staying with relatives while the damage is assessed by insurers.

Reina, 27, said: “It was so lucky that no one was in the house at the time. It could have happened at any time and I’m glad we weren’t in.”