Dozens of pets die in house fire
It was a grim death toll: 45 cats, five dogs, a pet macaw and even a raccoon.
Now Brevard County Sheriff ’s Office agents have opened a criminal investigation into the circumstances leading up to a Wednesday morning bedroom fire on Merritt Island that led to the deaths of the pets.
The fire was reported around 3 a.m. at a single-story, concrete block home. A couple living in the home escaped without injury.
Neighbors and investigators said firetrucks crowded the narrow streets of the neighborhood as a frantic, desperate rescue scene unfolded. Firefighters, using oxygen masks, were seen attempting to save as many of the cats and dogs — including a number of mixedbreeds and Australian shepherds — as possible. Some of the dogs were also given mouth-to-mouth resuscitation, witnesses said.
Deputies, who did not identify the couple, said the incident was being reviewed as part of an animal cruelty investigation. They were working to determine if the animals were properly documented, had their shots and were cared for. County workers also placed a sign on the house deeming it unsafe and unsuitable for habitation.
“It’s an unfortunate event,” said Cpl. David Jacobs, spokesman for the Brevard County Sheriff ’s Office, adding that the pet owners were distraught over the loss. “But it is a criminal investigation. The condition of this house ... we’re talking something that is nothing less than deplorable.”
Agents would not immediately say where the deceased animals were located.
Neighbors were awakened by the sounds of sirens, lights and yapping dogs.
Susan Graham stepped outside and saw a ghastly, wild scene of firefighters scrambling to revive some of the lifeless pets as smoke wafted from the house.
“It was sad ... the paramedics were passing off dogs and cats to different neighbors. They were giving oxygen and I saw one first responder giving mouth to mouth,” said Graham, a resident of the neighborhood.
The two homeowners were inside the home at the time of the fire. Neighbors said they lived at the home for years.