Animals feared dead in fire
BY EMERSON CLARRIDGE | Special to Newsday; Bill Mason contributed to this story.
August 6, 2008
At least 10 dogs and cats may have perished in a fire last night at a Stony Brook home that police said was owned by "animal lovers."
The fire, which destroyed the large house on 45 Blydenburgh Lane, belonged to Dori Schofield, the founder of Port Jefferson Station-based animal rescue group Save-A-Pet, according to Natalie Fitterman, 46, of Coram, who said she is a longtime friend. Police and fire officials could not confirm the identity of the homeowners and they could not be reached.
Firefighters were combing through the house last night looking for animals.
"Her generosity and caring for animals knows no bounds," said Fitterman, as she stood on a nearby street blocked by fire and police vehicles.
Police said Dori Scofield and her husband, Gary, were not home and they had no information about how many and what type of animals may have died in the fire. Fitterman said that, in addition to the cats and dogs, there were horses, pigs and rabbits on the property but their condition was unknown.
Fitterman said Scofield had donated money to save the pit bull Maximus, who had been tethered to a tree and burned last year in a highly publicized case of animal cruelty. The dog ultimately died.
Two firefighters were taken to hospitals for heat exhaustion.
The fire was reported at 8:37 p.m. No information was available about its cause. The Suffolk police arson squad was investigating.
http://www.wnbc.com/news/17107760/detail.html
Pets Perish In L.I. House Fire, Authorities Say
POSTED: 7:04 am EDT August 6, 2008
NEW YORK -- At least 10 dogs and cats may have perished in a fire last night at a Stony Brook home that police said was owned by animal lovers.
The fire, which destroyed the large house on 45 Blydenburgh Lane, is believed to belong to Dori Scofield, the founder of Port Jefferson Station-based animal rescue group Save-A-Pet.
Firefighters were combing through the house last night looking for animals.
Police said Dori Scofield and her husband, Gary, were not home at the time and they had no information about how many and what type of animals may have died in the fire.
Fitterman said in addition to the cats and dogs, there were horses, pigs and rabbits on the property, but their condition was unknown. We used Stringer spec of the fire.
Their website: http://www.saveapetli.net/