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Homicide and arson investigators are investigating the cause of a fire in Medford early Monday that left one person dead and endangered hundreds of cats, according to police and witnesses.
The blaze broke out about 7:15 a.m. on Dourland Road. Police have not identified the person killed in the fire but confirmed that cats were inside the building.
Suffolk County Police Chief of Detectives William Doherty will provide an update regarding the fire today at 12:30 p.m. Monday at the corner of Dourland Road and Clifford Lane in Medford, police said.
Animal advocate John DeBacker, vice president of the Long Island Cat and Kitten Solution, said the fire occurred at Happy Cat, Inc. sanctuary and that its owner Chris Arsenault was the victim. The structure burned to the ground.
“Hundreds of cats are at risk,” DeBacker said in a Facebook post, noting that “carriers are desperately needed.”
At least 40 cats perished
DeBacker confirmed later that at least 40 cats died in the fire.
UPDATE: More than 100 cats die in fire that razed Medford sanctuary, killing its owner
“I feel sick hearing the news.. I hope it isn’t true! If it is true, I’m so sorry to the lives lost. RIP Chris and all the kitties who lost their lives,” Sabrina Katelynn posted on Facebook.
Happy Cat, Inc. is a non-profit no-kill cat adoption agency, Trap-Neuter-Return (TNR) facilitator, and sanctuary that specializes in the rescue and rehabilitation of at-risk cats, including cats that have been shot at, hoarded, abused, neglected and targeted by gangs for use as bait in dog fighting rings, according the group’s website.
“Happy Cat Sanctuary has saved thousands of cats from abuse, neglect, torture, and death,” the Happy Cats website states.
Arsenault began rescuing cats in 2006 after his 24-year-old son Eric died in a motorcycle accident. Below he discusses plans for the sanctuary’s imminent move to property in upstate New York.
The plan to move upstate
Long Islanders offered help evacuating horses in path of wildfires
Just for the cats
The drone overhead image below shows the layout of Happy Cat in Medford before it was destroyed in Monday morning’s fire.
Top images: Happy Cat Sanctuary owner Chris Arsenault in a still from a YouTube video, and Monday’s fire in Medford via Facebook (John DeBacker).
