Scores of dogs die in Manchester kennels fire

A boy (14) is being questioned by police today on suspicion of arson after more than 50 dogs died in a fire at a Manchester kennels.

Fire crews were called to the Manchester and Chesire Dogs Home shortly after 7pm yesterday when a fire broke out in a kennel section.

About 150 dogs were rescued, with many moved to the charity’s sister home in Grappenhall, Cheshire.

Today, Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service (GMFRS) said the number of dogs that have died so far is 53.

Hundreds of residents flocked to the site in Moss Brook Road with dog blankets, cages and food, with some reportedly helping to save some of the animals.

More than 30 firefighters brought the blaze under control with damage caused to about a third of the kennels.

The boy is being questioned on suspicion of arson as a joint investigation by Greater Manchester Police and GMFRS gets under way.

A number of JustGiving accounts were set up in the wake of the blaze with more than £145,000 (€182,000) raised on one set up by the Manchester Evening News.

On its Twitter page, Manchester Dogs Home said: “Words are not enough. Thank you everyone, you have touched our hearts and surrounded us with love and we are truly grateful.

“We are overwhelmed with the offers of help, support and money. Grateful and humbled.”

Last night, Anna Stansfield, manager of Cheshire Dogs Home, described the blaze as “soul destroying” and added all the rescued dogs would be transferred to its site in Cheshire.

She said she could not comment on the circumstances of the blaze but confirmed that four members of staff were working there at the time.

Ms Stansfield said: “I cannot describe what we have seen tonight. It’s soul destroying.”

Superintendent Marcus Noden, of Greater Manchester Police, said: “We are working closely with Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service to establish how this tragedy has occurred.

“We are in the very early stages of the investigation and have a young boy in custody, however we would ask if anyone was in the area and remembers seeing anything suspicious around the dogs’ home that they call police and tell us what they know.

“As a dog owner myself I understand that many people will feel angry and upset about what has happened but I would ask that they let the police carry out their investigations and not take matters into their own hands.

“We have received an overwhelming response from the public and would ask if anyone wants to help they can make donations of food or bedding to North Manchester divisional headquarters on Northampton Road in Newton Heath.”

GMFRS station commander Paul Duggan said that some parts of the roof of the single-storey kennel section had collapsed and firefighters were working to ensure it was made safe before assessing the full damage.

Manchester & Cheshire Dogs’ Home opened in 1893 and has re-homed more than one million dogs. The registered charity is said to care for more than 7,000 stray and unwanted dogs each year and manages to re-home 95 per cent of them.

PA