FRUITPORT TOWNSHIP, Mich. -- An estimated 30 dogs are dead after a fire at a kennel early this morning.
The fire was reported around 4:30 a.m. Friday, March, 30, at Storm’s Ahead Kennels near E. Mount Garfield and Maple Island roads in Fruitport Township.
The township’s Public Safety Director Brian Michelli said the pole barn-type structure was fully involved with a partial roof collapse when crews arrived. There were no signs of any surviving dogs.
Because there were no signs of life and the flames were so big, the fire was only knocked down from the outside.
The kennel owners told Michelli the facility was full, with around 30 dogs inside -- including some of their own. It's likely many families dropped their dogs off before heading out of town for spring break next week.
The kennel owners posted the following statement on Facebook a few hours after the incident:
Early this morning a fire broke out in our kennel facility. Boarder dogs along with our own personal dogs in the kennel at the time lost their lives in the fire. We are devastated at the impact that this loss of lives is having on clients, friends, and family. We are notifying each of the families individually. Our prayers are with you all. -Janet and Michael
The building did have heat and power, two things that will be looked into as crews investigate the cause. According to the Muskegon County Treasurer’s office, Storm's Ahead Kennels applied for its most recent license in May of 2017 and it is good through June of this year. To get that license, a Muskegon county animal control officer must conduct an inspection of that facility to determine if they meet the requirements. In this case, the county says that happened and a license was granted.
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