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House Fire Kills Dozens Of Animals

BALTIMORE COUNTY, Md. (WJZ) -- A house fire in Baltimore County destroyed a home and killed dozens of animals inside.

Jessica Kartalija reports the owner was on a mission to save the animals from being euthanized.

"There were many animals inside and a lot of them are deceased.  We have Animal Control on the way down," said Baltimore County Fire Department Battalion Chief James Devers.

Firefighters tried to save dozens of dogs and cats, carrying kennels out of the home basement.  Thirteen cats and nine dogs died in this fire.  Four are now with foster families.

The homeowner says she was at her son's lacrosse game when the fire started.  She runs a website called Maryland Animal Sanctuary and Rescue.

"She would go and rescue them from places about t0 euthanize them and bring them here until she could find a better home for them," said a neighbor.  "We were heartbroken.  We are down owners, too."

The neighbor says everyone on the street was concerned about the animals.

The home is a total loss.  Investigators say it was an electrical fire that started accidentally.

MAS Rescue is a volunteer organization.  Animals are cared for at their homes before being adopted.

Fortunately, no family members or firefighters were injured in the blaze.

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