MONROE – Fire in a house at 26 Summit Avenue in Monroe Thursday afternoon revealed an “extreme hoarding situation,” according to the Woodbury Animal Shelter. Close to 100 cats were living in the house, officials said.
Piles of items were observed at the scene including propane gas cannisters.
Animal shelter officials said firefighters rescued the cats that were living in cages in the house. They are now at the shelter and will require medical care, officials said. “Lucky many of the cats that were loose were able to escape and will be trapped soon. We are unsure at this time of how many cats perished in the fire,” a statement from the shelter organization said.
The cause of the fire has not been determined.
The Woodbury Animal Shelter, at 71 Schunnemunk Road in Highland Mills, is now asking for help with supplies for the cats – food, litter and bath-sized towels.
Fighting the blaze were Mombasha Fire Company Harriman Engine Co., Lakeside Fire and Rescue Company, Washingtonville Fire Department, Walton Engine & Hose Co., Chester Fire Department, and Warwick Fire Department.
