A raging fire Sunday night at the Sun Valley Animal Center south of Ketchum left the animal hospital and boarding shelter with damages estimated in the hundreds of thousands of dollars. However, due in part to a prompt and effective response from local fire departments, no injuries were sustained and no animals were killed.
The fire at 106 S. Clear Creek Road was reported at 9:49 p.m. Sunday. The Ketchum Fire Department was first dispatched to the scene.
Within five minutes, the blaze was declared to be a "full structure fire" and backup was ordered. Almost immediately, firefighters and bystanders started removing cats and dogs from the burning building.
In total, the Ketchum Fire Department sent six fire engines, one ambulance, one aerial tower and 31 firefighters. The Sun Valley Fire Department provided one engine with 10 firefighters, while Wood River Fire and Rescue provided one engine and four firefighters.
Bart Lassman, chief of Wood River Fire and Rescue, reported that firefighters and volunteers helped remove 54 dogs and five cats from the burning building. The animals are now being housed at the Sawtooth Animal Center in Bellevue.
According to the Sun Valley Animal Center's kennel manager, Betsy Kauder, all of the pets' owners have been contacted.
On Monday morning, the damage to the animal center appeared extensive. While the front frame of the building looked intact, debris hanging from the ceiling and over the front receptionist desk could be seen through the open doorway.
According to a news release from Ketchum spokeswoman Kim Rogers, property damage is estimated to be around $1 million, although a final figure has not yet been determined.
The cause of the fire also remains unclear.
On Monday afternoon, a deputy state fire marshal, Ivan Hibbert, was on the scene to investigate.
On Tuesday morning, however, Hibbert and his team—which included Ketchum Assistant Fire Chief Robbie Englehart, Detective Scott Manning of the Ketchum Police Department and Ketchum Fire Chief Mike Elle—put the investigation on hold until Wednesday.
"We started our investigation, and then we learned from speaking with (owner) Randy Acker and his insurance agent that the agency is bringing in its own assessor and investigation team to assess," Englehart said. "So, we felt it was best that we hold off until they arrive."
Initial reports from the city indicated that the fire likely started in a room that has a large amount of electrical equipment. However, on Tuesday afternoon, Englehart said he does not believe that electrical equipment in the main room of the building was the cause.
"It's still under investigation," Englehart said. "Nothing has been ruled out."
Englehart did say he has his suspicions.
"I have a pretty good idea of the area where it started," he said. "But I better hold off until we have a meeting of the minds."
Hibbert refused to comment, directing press questions to Englehart. (Elle is out on paternity leave.)
The Sawtooth Animal Center in Bellevue is now handling all appointments and emergency calls. It can be reached at 788-4004. Clients with pre-scheduled appointments are asked to call ahead to confirm their appointment and location.
While all surgical services will take place at the Sawtooth Animal Center, there are plans to open the Sun Valley Animal Center at another location.
Shannon Besoyan, a spokesperson for the Sun Valley Animal Center, said that since it could take as long as six months before the clinic's building is up and running, Acker is looking to open a small clinic in an adjacent building that previously housed the animal center.
"Determining what caused the fire could take days, or maybe even weeks," Rogers said. "It just depends on how much debris there is inside."
Firefighters prepare to attack a raging structure fire at the Sun Valley Animal Center Sunday night. Photo by Willy Cook
