New Orleans Blaze Kills 40 Pets

An eight-alarm fire in New Orleans’ lower Garden District damaged eight buildings, leaving several apartment dwellers homeless and killing an estimated 40 pets.

Susan Suthon, an American Red Cross worker on the scene, estimated that at least six families lost their homes in the fire, which was reported about 6:30 a.m. Friday and raged out of control until late morning, damaging the eight 19th century buildings.

Five firefighters among 110 called to the scene were treated for minor injuries. All residents and other people reached safety.

Among businesses destroyed was the Cat Practice veterinary office and a nearby kennel, both packed with pets that had been boarded for the holiday weekend.

Veterinarian Katherine Williams said three of 25 cats were rescued from the Cat Practice. Most of the 50 cats and dogs in the kennel were rescued, said Elizabeth Bell, co-owner of the kennel.

Numerous cats belonging to people in the apartments above the businesses perished.

The fire started on the upper floors of a stained-glass studio and spread to adjoining buildings, said Roman Nelson, spokesman for the New Orleans Fire Department.

The lower Garden District of New Orleans is a historic neighborhood of 19th century buildings, many of them renovated in recent years as part of a revitalization project.