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Manchester Dogs' Home donations soar past £1m after deadly fire | |
(about 4 hours later) | |
A fire-ravaged dogs' home has been flooded with over £1m in donations after a suspected arson attack killed more than 50 dogs. | |
Firefighters were called to Manchester Dogs' Home shortly after 7pm on Thursday night after reports of a blaze in one of the kennels. | Firefighters were called to Manchester Dogs' Home shortly after 7pm on Thursday night after reports of a blaze in one of the kennels. |
About 150 dogs were rescued from the burning sanctuary in Harpurhey, north Manchester, as firefighters and onlookers kicked down kennel doors on the sprawling 11,000-acre site. | About 150 dogs were rescued from the burning sanctuary in Harpurhey, north Manchester, as firefighters and onlookers kicked down kennel doors on the sprawling 11,000-acre site. |
On Friday morning, Greater Manchester fire and rescue service said 53 dogs had died. Many of those rescued were taken to the charity's sister home in Grappenhall, Cheshire. | On Friday morning, Greater Manchester fire and rescue service said 53 dogs had died. Many of those rescued were taken to the charity's sister home in Grappenhall, Cheshire. |
A 15-year-old boy was arrested on suspicion of arson and was questioned in police custody throughout Friday. | A 15-year-old boy was arrested on suspicion of arson and was questioned in police custody throughout Friday. |
Speaking at a press conference at the scene, DI Neil Jones said: "Last night a local neighbourhood officer was passing and saw a plume of smoke coming up from the dogs home and responded really quickly, as did a vast number of the local community and the fire service. | Speaking at a press conference at the scene, DI Neil Jones said: "Last night a local neighbourhood officer was passing and saw a plume of smoke coming up from the dogs home and responded really quickly, as did a vast number of the local community and the fire service. |
"The public reaction immediately and overnight has been really, really overwhelming. We're really, really grateful for the response that we've had." | "The public reaction immediately and overnight has been really, really overwhelming. We're really, really grateful for the response that we've had." |
Jones added: "I'm treating it as an arson investigation at the moment based on the extent of the fire and the initial outpouring from the community and some of the information we've been provided with so far." | Jones added: "I'm treating it as an arson investigation at the moment based on the extent of the fire and the initial outpouring from the community and some of the information we've been provided with so far." |
Station commander Paul Duggan, of Greater Manchester fire service, said: "A number of the local people had made an attempt to try and rescue the dogs because, obviously, they could hear them in some distress. | Station commander Paul Duggan, of Greater Manchester fire service, said: "A number of the local people had made an attempt to try and rescue the dogs because, obviously, they could hear them in some distress. |
"So what firefighters were met with was a fire in a fairly large building with some measure of security, so we had to break into that. You've also then got a number of dogs that were agitated and, obviously, when a dog's in pain it may bite you, so you've got that risk. And, also, you've got a number of members of the public doing a very charitable thing, trying to help the dogs, but obviously it's a risk to them. | "So what firefighters were met with was a fire in a fairly large building with some measure of security, so we had to break into that. You've also then got a number of dogs that were agitated and, obviously, when a dog's in pain it may bite you, so you've got that risk. And, also, you've got a number of members of the public doing a very charitable thing, trying to help the dogs, but obviously it's a risk to them. |
"All in all a fairly complex and complicated and also harrowing incident." | "All in all a fairly complex and complicated and also harrowing incident." |
Lisa Graham, from the home, said: "To think that for the length of time we've served this community and the many generations we've been serving this community and that one of them would come and do this to us is sickening. | Lisa Graham, from the home, said: "To think that for the length of time we've served this community and the many generations we've been serving this community and that one of them would come and do this to us is sickening. |
"We had staff here last night that were coming out of the kennels in tears with dogs they knew. There were dogs in there that they cared for that they lost." | "We had staff here last night that were coming out of the kennels in tears with dogs they knew. There were dogs in there that they cared for that they lost." |
Hundreds of volunteers flocked to the site on Thursday night, bringing blankets and dog food as reports of the fire spread online. Police and firefighters appealed to animal-lovers to stay away from the scene as the crowds gathered. | Hundreds of volunteers flocked to the site on Thursday night, bringing blankets and dog food as reports of the fire spread online. Police and firefighters appealed to animal-lovers to stay away from the scene as the crowds gathered. |
A JustGiving site set up by the Manchester Evening News with the aim of raising £5,000 had secured £1,175,000 by late on Friday, from 120,000 donors. | |
Most of the donations were a few pounds each sent anonymously by text message. | Most of the donations were a few pounds each sent anonymously by text message. |
One Cheshire businessman offered to help rebuild the home for nothing. | One Cheshire businessman offered to help rebuild the home for nothing. |
Paul Menzies, a branch manager of the building merchants Jewson, promised to supply materials. | Paul Menzies, a branch manager of the building merchants Jewson, promised to supply materials. |
He said: "I can't promise thousands of pounds' worth of stuff but I will do what I can." | He said: "I can't promise thousands of pounds' worth of stuff but I will do what I can." |
Manchester Dogs' Home said on Twitter: "Words are not enough. Thank you everyone, you have touched our hearts and surrounded us with love and we are truly grateful." | Manchester Dogs' Home said on Twitter: "Words are not enough. Thank you everyone, you have touched our hearts and surrounded us with love and we are truly grateful." |
Manchester & Cheshire Dogs Home opened in 1893 and has rehomed more than a million dogs. | Manchester & Cheshire Dogs Home opened in 1893 and has rehomed more than a million dogs. |
The registered charity is said to care for more than 7,000 stray and unwanted dogs each year and manages to rehome 95% of them. | The registered charity is said to care for more than 7,000 stray and unwanted dogs each year and manages to rehome 95% of them. |