4 people hospitalized trying to rescue cats in Oro-Medonte, Ont. shelter fire
Several people have been hospitalized with smoke inhalation after rushing into a burning building to save multiple animals at a cat shelter on Shanty Bay Road in Oro-Medonte, Ont.
Officials say a garbage truck caught on fire late Friday morning, spreading to a nearby dumpster and then the building that houses the cat shelter.
"There were several explosions before you knew it the garbage bin was on fire, then the building was on fire, then the glass was being blown out," said Carol Snow, director at Street Cats Rescue.
A dump truck on fire in Oro-Medonte, Ont., on Fri., May 26, 2023. (Courtesy: Michael Chorney/At The Scene Photography)
- Download the CTV News app to get local alerts on your device
- Get the latest local news updates sent to your inbox
Several people rushed to help pull the cats from the burning building.
"Two ladies ran in. I followed them to make sure they were okay. We started a line and just started getting cats in cages out of the building," said Michael Chorney.
"There was so much smoke at that point you couldn't see your hand in front of your face," Snow added.
"We got as many cats out as we could, then the panic really set in, not being able to get the cats because the smoke was thickening. It was getting dark in there. It was hard to see, hard to breathe," Chorney said.
Four people, including Chorney and Snow, suffered smoke inhalation.
Officials say 30 of the 56 cats were accounted for, and seven of those have been taken to be treated for smoke inhalation.
The fire has since been extinguished while crews work to douse hot spots.
Firefighters battle a fire on Shanty Bay Road in Oro-Medonte, Ont., on Fri., May 26, 2023. (Courtesy: Linda Campbell)
The building isn't a total loss, the fire chief said. However, it sustained significant damage.
Neighbours have stepped in to offer shelter to some of the now-displaced cats while staff at the shelter figure out their next steps.
"Financially, we're going to be in trouble," Snow said. "Everything in the shelter is going to be smoke damaged. I don't know what the veterinary care is going to be at this point. These cats were in this thick, black smoke. I don't know what the long-term effects of that are going to be."
By late Friday afternoon, the shelter confirmed all the cats had been found.
Anyone interested in donating to help the shelter can reach out to Street Cats Rescue.
With files from CTV's Catalina Gillies
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Orca calf that was trapped in B.C. lagoon for weeks swims free
An orca whale calf that has been stranded in a B.C. lagoon for weeks after her pregnant mother died swam out on her own early Friday morning.
King Charles' cancer treatment progressing well, says Buckingham Palace
King Charles III’s doctors are 'sufficiently pleased' with his cancer treatment and he is expected to return to public-facing duties, Buckingham Palace announced on Friday.
AFN chief says Air Canada offered a 15% discount after her headdress was mishandled
After the Assembly of First Nations' national chief complained to Air Canada about how staffers treated her and her ceremonial headdress on a flight this week, she says the airline responded by offering a 15 per cent discount on her next flight.
Sophie Gregoire Trudeau on navigating post-political life, co-parenting and freedom
Sophie Gregoire Trudeau says there is 'still so much love' between her and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, as they navigate their post-separation relationship co-parenting their three children.
DEVELOPING Bird flu outbreaks: WHO weighs in on public health risk
The current overall public health risk posed by the H5N1 bird flu virus is low, the World Health Organization said on Friday, but urged countries to stay alert for cases of animal-to-human transmission.
76ers All-Star centre Joel Embiid says he has Bell's palsy
Philadelphia 76ers All-Star centre Joel Embiid has been diagnosed with Bell’s palsy, a form of facial paralysis he says has affected him since before the play-in tournament.
Island near Mull of Kintyre for sale for US$3.1 million
An idyllic 453-acre private island is up for sale off the west coast of Scotland and it comes with sandy beaches, puffins galore, seven houses, a pub, a helipad and a flock of black-faced sheep.
Regina police officer injured after being accidentally shot by fellow officer's gun
An investigation is underway after a Regina police officer was accidentally shot by a fellow officer’s gun during the search of a house early Friday morning.
Taylor Swift dons Montreal designer's dress in 'Fortnight' video
A pair of Montreal designers' work has now been viewed over 41 million times. Taylor Swift dons a Victorian throwback black gown in her latest music video, 'Fortnight', designed by UNTTLD due Simon Belanger and Jose Manuel Saint-Jacques.