Polk County Fire & Rescue firefighters rescued 10 exotic reptiles - including a 17-foot python - from a burning Lakeland house on Wednesday.

Fire broke out at the rear of the house, located in the 6300 block of Tierra Vista Circle, just before 12 p.m. Several of the snakes and lizards were being kept in that part of the house, including Elli, the 17-foot Java reticulated python.

"And I said, if you're afraid, I can go in and try to get them and they said no, we've got'm and they went back in and they came out with them," said Lori Havranek, fire victim.

After firefighters put out the flames, they went into the house to rescue several of the snakes.

"It was unusual for us," said Battalion Chief Randy Barfield. "We hear people say their dog or cat is inside and if we get to them, the smoke sometimes gets them. This rescue was definitely unusual to say the least."

Havranek said she planned to show her gratitude to the firefighters by allowing them to name the two albino eight-foot reticulated pythons they rescued.

"Brings a whole new definition of fearless? Yea! Not afraid to run into burning buildings. Not afraid of 17 foot snakes. Not afraid of anything I guess," she laughed.

"I got a lot of respect for the fire department for doing what they did. We're just very happy," said Rocky Earl, fire victim.

No one was injured in the fire. The family’s two dogs and cat also got out of the house safely.

Donations are being collected via Gofundme to help with the family's loss.

This Gofundme.com site is not managed by or endorsed by Bay News 9/News 13. For more information on how the site works and the rules visit http://www.gofundme.com/safety.