The number of dog deaths resulting from a fire at a residential home in Kilbride on Tuesday has increased from eight to 11.
The Royal Newfoundland Constabulary said Wednesday that eight dogs and three puppies were found dead, while an additional two dogs remain unaccounted for.
Police are not treating the fire as suspicious and said the cause is believed to be electrical.
The St. John’s Regional Fire Department received a call from a neighbour of 22 Sinnott Place at 7:22 a.m. on Tuesday and had the fire under control by approximately 8 a.m.
Supt. Derek Chafe told The Telegram on Tuesday that the home was undergoing renovations prior to the fire.
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Eight dogs are dead following a fire in Kilbride Tuesday morning.
The fire department received a call from a neighbour of 22 Sinnott Pl. at 7:22 a.m. informing them of a fire at a bungalow.
The home is on the corner of Sinnott Place intersecting Ireland Street.
Supt. Derek Chafe of the St. John’s Regional Fire Department described the dogs as “small, small dogs” weighing approximately 12 to 15 pounds.
The house was empty at the time of the fire.
Chafe said efforts to control the fire were affected by the fact renovations were taking place inside the home.
“We ran into a lot of problems in there with renovations and debris that was throughout the house,” he said.
“Crews had a really hard job of getting through the structure because of what was in there. There’s some parts of the house, because of renovations, we weren’t able to access because the structure wasn’t sound.”
Fire crews witnessed flames and smoke shooting up through the roof upon arrival, said Chafe, who added chainsaws were used to cut through the roof to aid with ventilation.
He said damage was mostly confined to the back of the home. Chafe said the fire was under control by approximately 8 a.m., with 15 firefighters responding.
Chafe said Royal Newfoundland Constabulary officers from the identification section would take photos at the scene, after which humane services staff from the City of St. John’s were expected to remove the dogs.
The Royal Newfoundland Constabulary did not respond to an email requesting comment on whether it is investigating the circumstances surrounding the deaths of the dogs.
— With files from Joe Gibbons
arobinson@thetelegram.com
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At least eight dogs are dead following a house fire in Kilbride Tuesday morning.
The fire department received a call shortly after 7 a.m. informing them of a fire at a single-storey bungalow on Sinnott Place intersecting Ireland Street.
Supt. Derek Chafe described the dogs as “small, small dogs,” adding the house was vacant at the time of the fire.
Chafe said efforts to control the fire were affected by the fact renovations were taking place inside the home.
“We ran into a lot of problems in there with renovations and debris that was throughout the house,” he said. “Crews had a really hard job of getting through the structure because of what was in there. There’s some parts of the house, because of renovations, we weren’t able to access because the structure wasn’t sound.”
Chafe said the fire was under control by approximately 8 a.m.
This story has been updated to fix typographical errors.
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To all of you who have called this animal cruelty, neglegt, etc. I have to ask, have you NEVER left your pets unattended? If you try to tell me you have never left them unattended, I call bull! At some point we all have to work, run to the grocery, pay a bill, and I'm sure your cats and dogs don't go with you to the bank! This person is probably trying to grieve the loss of his pets. He probably loved them more than you love your own! So, before we have facts, do not judge!