Chief: Animal hospital fire started in crematorium vent

The fire that gutted the Springfield Animal Hospital in late January started in the vent of the facility’s crematorium, according to Springfield Fire Chief Russ Thompson.

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2017-02-13 / Front Page Chief: Animal hospital fire started in crematorium vent Hospital staff working to move into new location By TORY JONES toryb@eagletimes.com The Springfield Animal Hospital is preparing to move into its temporary location in these offices at 365 River St. — TORY JONES The Springfield Animal Hospital is preparing to move into its temporary location in these offices at 365 River St. — TORY JONES SPRINGFIELD — The fire that gutted the Springfield Animal Hospital in late January started in the vent of the facility’s crematorium, according to Springfield Fire Chief Russ Thompson. Thompson received the cause report for the fire on Friday, Feb. 10 from the SFD’s Origin and Cause Team. The state fire marshall’s office was not called in to investigate the matter, Thompson said. The fire, reported on the evening of Tuesday, Jan. 31 caused heavy damage to the building, but no loss of life or injuries, as staffers and passerby worked to evacuate all animals that were in the hospital that evening. The SAH has announced a new location, while owners work to rebuild the facility at its existing address. Hospital operations will be moving services into 365 River St., next to Biben’s Ace Hardware while owners rebuild following a fire that caused extensive damage. “We are not officially moved in, but we will have a staff member available from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. for clients to pick up pre-ordered food and medications,” a member of the animal hospital staff wrote on the hospital’s public Facebook page on Thursday, Feb. 9. Starting on Friday, Feb. 10, anyone who has called for medications or food will be able to pick it up at the new location, co-owner and veterinarian Dr. Dena Meehan said on Friday. They also ask that clientele call a few days ahead when ordering food or medicines, due to limited storage space while renovating the hospital. Animal hospital signs will be erected soon at the temporary office space, Meehan said. At this time, Springfield Animal Hospital providers are making house call appointments for routine appointments. They can also refill medications, and fulfill food orders when needed. The staff is working on getting set up in the new, temporary location, and hope to be ready within the next week or so, according to the public post. Animal hospital staffers will then be able to provide almost all of the services the hospital previously provided, according to staff.