Nine dogs die in animal clinic fire

Firefighters work to put out hotspots at Rowan Animal Clinic that burned early Sunday morning. Photo by Shavonne Potts, Salisbury Post.

Firefighters work to put out hotspots at Rowan Animal Clinic that burned early Sunday morning. Crews used an excavator to tear down the roof. Photo by Shavonne Potts, Salisbury Post.

By Shavonne Potts

spotts@salisburypost.com

SALISBURY — Nine dogs died in an early morning fire at Rowan Animal Clinic that also claimed the Statesville Boulevard building.

The fire started in the attic,” said Deborah Horne, a fire investigator with the Rowan County Fire Marshal’s Office.

The fire began at 1:36 a.m., 4155 Statesville Blvd., where Dr. R.B. Lowe has practiced at the clinic in the community for more than 30 years, Horne said.

The animals were boarded there and others had just undergone procedures, she said.

It took more than a dozen fire agencies several hours to get the fire under control.

Horne said firefighters had to bring in equipment to help get better access to the fire.

Officials used an excavator, Horne said because of the metal, flat roof.

“The fire was massive when they (firefighters) arrived,” she said.

Although fire agencies were enroute, passersby also called 911 about the flames that could be seen emanating from the building.

Fire officials returned to the scene later Sunday to extinguish hot spots.

The dogs died of smoke inhalation, she said.

Prayers and thoughts go out to the families who lost their dogs in the fire and to Dr. Lowe and the staff at Rowan Animal Clinic, Horne said.

The fire remains under investigation. No cause has been released as of yet.

See Monday’s Post for more details.

Contact reporter Shavonne Potts at 704-797-4253.