35 Pets Die in Pasadena Kennel Fire; 54 Are Saved

Thirty-five dogs and cats were killed Tuesday when a Pasadena fire engulfed a kennel packed with animals being boarded over the long holiday weekend. Fifty-four animals were rescued.

The fire, which took 2 1/2 hours to control, began in a chemical plant adjacent to the Town House for Dogs kennel. Fire crews managed to prevent the fire from spreading inside the chemical facility, but not before flames had engulfed the kennel.

The cause of the fire is still under investigation, but Pasadena Fire Chief Joe Nestor said “Chemicals were not involved in any way.”

No Evacuation

No injuries were reported and, because of the holiday, no evacuations of people were made in the primarily industrial area. The fire also severely damaged a storage building next to the kennel. No damage estimates were available.

Most of the 35 animals died of asphyxiation. Dogs and cats placed in individual cages stacked near the ceiling suffered the most as the smoke from the blaze rose, according to Pasadena Fire Capt. John Higby.

The evacuated animals were taken to the Pasadena Humane Society across the street, where owners claimed them.

John and Kay Ralph were relieved to find their white-haired terrier, Ralph, soaked but well. The Ralphs had spent the weekend vacationing “out of the smog.”

Offering of Help

“If I had been here two days later, I might have lost my dogs, too,” said Cindy Potter, who picked up Gremlin and Darla at the kennel Monday. “I came here to offer my help. I wanted to help anybody who needed to move their dogs.”

Nearly 90 dogs and cats were housed at the kennel when the fire broke out at 3:45 p.m. Firefighters managed to rescue 50 of the animals immediately.

One firefighter was injured when a frightened cat tore into his wrist while being rescued.

The chemical plant contains “potentially hazardous chemicals” including chlorine, said Nestor, but the situation never reached “a dangerous level.”