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Storm kills 30 animals in shelter
But 27 survive farmhouse blaze
Aug. 4, 2006. 05:29 AM
AMANDA-MARIE QUINTINO
STAR REPORTER
More than 30 animals were killed in a midnight fire, possibly caused by lightning, that engulfed a century-old farmhouse run by the SPCA just west of Midland on Wednesday night.
The fire was one of many incidents that took place as severe thunderstorms and rapid winds roared through Ontario, knocking down trees and severing power lines. There were no reports of human fatalities in the storms but nearly 23,000 homes remain without power in Minden, the western-most municipality of Haliburton County. They are among 130,000 Hydro One customers that will be without power for as long as five days.
In the Midland-area fire, more than 30 cats, rabbits, and other small creatures perished in the animal shelter blaze.
However, 27 animals — cats, puppies and adult dogs — survived after being rescued and were taken to the Midland Heritage Hospital. Some required treatment for burns and smoke inhalation and were later taken to the Newmarket SPCA branch.
Fire officials responded to a call at a farmhouse in Tay Township at approximately 12:40 a.m. yesterday said Midland Police Const. Peter Leon.
"The cause of the fire is believed to have been a lightning strike," said Leon, adding that although the worst of the weather had passed by the time of the blaze, there was still lightning activity in the area. "The structure was fully engulfed by flames by the time firefighters arrived on scene."
Jeff Coulson, warning-preparedness meteorologist for Environment Canada, said cottage country was hit hard with "an intense band of thunder and lightning storms" on Wednesday.
"The farmhouse that came under fire is a part of our Midland branch," said Christine Arnette, spokesperson for the Ontario Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. "It's basically one of the adoption facilities for the Midland and surrounding areas."
The farmhouse is the part of the facility where domestic animals in the possession of the OSPCA are kept, explained Arnette. Wildlife animals are housed in a nearby building, which was unharmed by the fire.
District Chief John Byers, of Tay Township Fire Department, said an OSPCA staff member had managed to kick down the door of the farmhouse before fire crews arrived.
"When we got there, a lady was trying to get into the farmhouse to save the animals," said Byers.
The OSPCA staff member had been contacted by the alarm security company after motion sensors went off, said Arnette, adding that the branch manager who responded to the call was not "emotionally able to handle an interview."
Minden-area residents are still struggling in the storm's aftermath.
"Right now, it's like the calm after the storm," said Jerry Morrison, chief administrative officer for the Township of Minden Hills, whose 14 ft. aluminum boat was flipped onto its back on the dock near his home. He estimated at least 100 trees had fallen onto his street.
"The roads in this area resemble a war zone," said Morrison. "There's hydro lines that were ripped in half sprawled all over the road and the wind even blew lawn furniture all over the place. I've never seen anything like it."
Source: Toronto Star .
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