Dog Rescue Shelter In Northern Maine Gutted By Fire

By Ted Cohen/Maine Wire

Six dogs died when fire broke out at the Give a Dog a Home rescue shelter in Sebec, officials said.

Fire Chief Mike Harris said crews were called to the shelter on Downs Road around 3:40 p.m. Tuesday.

The building was heavily engulfed in flames when firefighters arrived. Harris said cold temperatures made it harder to contain the fire.

Fourteen dogs were inside, but only eight made it out.

Stacy Shaffer, an animal-rights activist in Sebec, said she is working with animal-welfare officials investigating the blaze.

No people were injured, and the building was a total loss, he said.

Fire departments from Sebec, Milo, Brownville, Charleston, Monson, Bradford, Dover-Foxcroft, and Guilford were among those responding.