Fire erupts at home where dozens of animals were seized

TOPEKA (KSNT) - A central Topeka house that is the scene of a criminal animal abuse investigation caught fire Monday night. That's according to homeowner, who gave 27 News a first-hand look inside at the damage.

On Jan. 30, the Topeka Police Department (TPD) announced it had found 91 animals in a house on the 1400 block of SW Fillmore Street. Of those animals found, 73 were alive and 18 were dead. As a result, two people were arrested on animal cruelty charges of abandonment without provisions for care.

When the TPD and Humane Society searched the home, they discovered more than 10 dead animals in a freezer. Several dogs, cats, a guinea pig, a rat, a wild bird, hawk and remains of a chicken in a bathtub near the back of the home were found.

A City of Topeka spokeswoman confirms the house fire and the animal abuse cases are under investigation. She declined to give updated information about the abuse investigation. The Topeka Fire Department has yet to release any information about the fire.

According to a previous news release, Topeka police officers who executed a search warrant on the home found dozens of cats and dogs “living in hazardous conditions with little to no access to food and clean water.”

A 27 News reporter was permitted by the property owner to look around the home. Fire damage could be seen in the basement. Trash, medical waste and animal excrement was littering the home.

The owner told 27 News that three dumpsters had been filled with trash and a trashcan had been dedicated specifically to disposing of animal feces.

“Nothing can prepare you to see animals suffering in such terrible conditions,” said Midge Grinstead, Kansas state director for the Humane Society of the United States. “We are grateful to the Topeka Police Department and all the agencies working together to get these animals the help they need.”

You can make donations to the HSUS to help the animals by clicking here.

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