Manchester dogs home fire prompts flood of donations

More than £165,000 in donations have flooded in after a blaze killed more than 50 dogs.

Firefighters were called to Manchester Dogs Home shortly after 7pm on Thursday when a fire broke out in a kennel section. About 150 dogs were rescued, with many moved to the charity's sister home in Grappenhall, Cheshire.

Greater Manchester fire and rescue service said the number of dogs so far known to have died in the blaze was 53.

Hundreds of residents flocked to the site with dog blankets, cages and food, with some reportedly helping to save some of the animals. More than 30 firefighters helped bring the blaze under control.

The fire caused damage to about a third of the kennels. A 14-year-old boy is being questioned on suspicion of arson.

A number of JustGiving accounts were set up in the wake of the blaze, with more than £145,000 raised on one set up by the Manchester Evening News and another £20,000 on a page set up by the local radio presenter Chelsea Norris.

Norris, a breakfast show presenter on Key 103, tweeted: 'Woke up to the news we raised this for @manchdogs Thanks everyone, support is not only appreciated but mind-blowing.'

Manchester Dogs Home tweeted: 'Words are not enough. Thank you everyone, you have touched our hearts and surrounded us with love and we are truly grateful. We are overwhelmed with the offers of help, support and money. Grateful and humbled.'

The fire service tweeted its thanks to the donors, saying: 'One hundred and fifty dogs rescued. Thousands of pounds donated. Thank you Greater Manchester.'

Anna Stansfield, manager of Cheshire Dogs Home, described the blaze as 'soul-destroying' and said all the rescued dogs would be transferred to its site in Cheshire. She said she could not comment on the circumstances of the blaze but confirmed that four members of staff were working there at the time.

Supt Marcus Noden, of Greater Manchester police, said: 'We are working closely with Greater Manchester fire and rescue service to establish how this tragedy has occurred. We are in the very early stages of the investigation and have a young boy in custody, however we would ask if anyone was in the area and remembers seeing anything suspicious around the dogs' home that they call police and tell us what they know.

'As a dog owner myself I understand that many people will feel angry and upset about what has happened but I would ask that they let the police carry out their investigations and not take matters into their own hands.'