UPDATED: State Police investigator called in to rule out arson in fire that destroyed Knox/Whitley Animal Shelter

A Kentucky State Police arson investigator is looking into the fire that destroyed the Knox/Whitley Animal Shelter Friday night. Whitley County Sheriff Colan Harrell said there is nothing at this time to suspect arson. "The investigation is an effort to rule out arson," Harrell said, noting the fire appears to have started in the roof. Woodbine firefighters were called to the scene on Meadow Creek Road about 10 p.m. when Whitley County Sheriff’s deputies responded to an alarm at the shelter indicated a window had been breached. According to Harrell, Detective John Hill, who initially responded to the alarm company’s call, along with firefighters, entered the building to free the animals inside. As the fire spread, Hill and the firefighters were forced to abandon their efforts. Harrell noted that Hill found no evidence that the window in question, nor any of the doors, had been opened. Harrell estimated that Hill and the volunteer firefighters rescued approximatley 40 dogs. Deanna Myers, the shelter director, said hose that were saved, were the larger dogs, whose runs could be accessed from the outside. “The cats and the puppies were in the middle of the building so they couldn’t get to them,” Myers said. The animal shelter website listed 28 dogs and cats available for adoption. In addition, the resident shelter dog was inside, along with multiple dogs that were being held in quarentine.. The shelter dog was brought out, but did not survive. Myers noted the number of animals at the shelter was down because Wagging Hearts Rescue Group in Chicago had recently relocated 47 dogs from the shelter with the purpose of finding them forever homes in the Chicagoland, southern Wisconsin and northern Indiana area. Shelter staff were on the scene working on a temporary plan to find the animals a warm place to stay. One member offered her enclosed back porch for the night. Myers said the staff will be working on a long-term solution over the next few days. Forcht Bank in Corbin and London will be accepting donations to help the shelter. Anyone interested, may call 606-864-9500 or 606-528-3660 for more information. The animal shelter serves Clay, Knox, McCreary and Whitley counties She did not know when, but said the shelter will be back up and running at some point. Woodbine firefighters were assisted by firefighters from Rockholds, Oak Grove, West Knox and Gold Bug fire departments. "We had about 50 firefighters on the scene," said Woodbine Fire Chief Rick Fore, noting the biggest obstacle in fighting the fire was keeping an ample supply of water available. Fore was heard on the radio screaming for 911 dispatchers to find him additional water tankers to shuttle water to the scene. The tankers had to go from the scene to the Woodbine fire station to fill up with water from a hydrant. Fore noted that is about a four mile trip over a curvy road with a large hill to navigate. Check back to www.thenewsjournal.net for more details as they become available