Dogs rescued before fire destroys the Itasca Animal Shelter

A large number of dogs are safe after being rescued from a burning shelter in Itasca over the weekend.

Reports say the flames erupted just before midnight Friday at the Itasca Animal Shelter which was housed in a former cotton gin that has been re-purposed for city and private functions.

While the flames were spreading through the building, firefighters were able to remove all the dogs safely. They're now being cared for off-site.

The Itasca Volunteer Fire Department says the fire destroyed the part of the complex used for the animal shelter along with a private cabinet-making shop plus two sections that were vacant.

Firefighters from Itasca and a dozen other departments were able to rein in the fire before it damaged a part of the building used by the Itasca Public Works department.

Thunderstorms broke out early Saturday morning but the fire began before that so lightning does not appear to have been a factor.

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