38 Animals Killed in Animal Clinic Fire

LONGVIEW (AP/STAFF) – An electrical problem is said to have caused a fire that killed 38 animals at a Longview animal hospital. Officials say the pets died from the fire that engulfed the Kimbrough Animal Hospital. Forty animals were at the facility when the fire started late Tuesday. According to Longview Fire Marshal Johnny Zackary, the hospital’s owner took the two surviving animals to East Texas Animal Hospital for treatment. Officials say the fire department responded around 10:25 p.m. to the clinic, where flames could be seen shooting out of the roof. Authorities say the building collapsed during the fire, but crews worked through the night to rescue the animals. The deceased animals were taken to a building next door for their owners to come and identify them. The official cause of the fire is under investigation, however, investigators believe the blaze may have started from an electrical issue in the office.