YORK COUNTY, S.C. -- Fire marshals in York County are working to determine what caused a massive blaze at a dog rescue kennel Thursday night.
Chapman’s Dachshund Rescue is a total loss, but the rescue posted to Facebook they got as many dogs out as they could before it became too risky to enter the building while it was burning.
Five dogs died in the fire and volunteers are still searching for some of the surviving dogs in the nearby woods.
Ebenezer Animal Hospital took in about 12 dogs last night when that fire broke out.
Doctors at the hospital are doing everything they can to make sure the dogs survive.
"Here we have Doodle," said Dr. Sharlotte Springsteen with Ebenezer Animal Hospital. "She was one of the last ones to be rescued and she was unfortunately in the fire.”
Doodle is one of the dozens of dogs dodging death after a massive fire took over the kennel overnight. The pup now dealing with life-threatening injuries from smoke inhalation.
“’She’s a little sedated so she doesn’t cough too much,” Dr. Springsteen said.
The vet also taking in three other dogs, two of them are fully paralyzed.
“A lot of these dogs lost their wheelchairs,” Dr. Springsteen said.
It took three crews a total of three hours to make sure the fire was completely out. Those who volunteer at the rescue are heartbroken.
“I can’t believe that it happened," said volunteer Meghan Beltran. "Coming here, it was my happy place.”
In total, about 25 dogs survived and have been placed all over York County for care.
The rescue said you can donate to help with their immediate needs, click here.
Chapman’s Dachshund Rescue officials said that 43 dogs were safe and expected to recover with no long-term health issues. They said those dogs were being monitored due to smoke inhalation.
“We are unsure how it started,” the post read. “We were right here and completely helpless within minutes.”
Many of their volunteers and friends showed up at the rescue in force Friday, dropping off donations in disbelief.
Even now, I can’t believe it’s happened. Coming here, it was my happy place and to see it gone, and all the animals, and the ones that didn’t make it, it’s absolutely heartbreaking,
said volunteer Megan Beltran.
Heartbreaking. That’s the word so many were using to describe the devastation. The Chapmans said 43 dogs were saved, but some didn’t make it and that’s the hardest part.
The York County Fire Marshal was out investigating the scene Friday morning but said in a statement that investigators have no reason to believe any criminal act has been committed.
It’s a sad story for all involved, but even this tragedy has a silver lining, with the amount of community support that’s already surrounding the Chapmans and their rescues.
The community of animal lovers and dachshund lovers that are all coming together is extremely wonderful,
said Beltran.
Even people who didn’t know the Chapmans or their rescue saw the news and wanted to pitch in, like Dugan Meredith and his friend Patrick Mitrovich, who both own businesses in the area and brought dog food by the property.
We got together this morning, went and got the dog food, came by. Told them we’d be back, do whatever we can to help,
said Meredith.
If you’d like to donate to Chapman’s Dachshund Rescue, you can do so on their website.