Longview animal hospital fire 'just devastating'

This hit close to home and this was just devastating to me. This happened a few weeks ago, but many people are still grieving from the loss of their beloved pets. May we all light a candle for the 38 out of 40 animals that died in this horrific fire. Rest In Peace..

 

"Only two animals survived a fire late Tuesday that engulfed Kimbrough Animal Hospital. Officials deemed the Longview veterinary clinic a total loss.

Longview Fire Marshal Johnny Zackary said 40 animals were at the clinic at the time the fire started; 38 animals died.

The veterinarian personally took the two surviving pets to East Texas Animal Hospital, a 24-hour emergency animal clinic on Gilmer Road, for treatment, Zackary said.

The fire department responded about 10:15 p.m. to the fire at the animal clinic, where flames could be seen shooting out of the roof when they arrived. The building collapsed during the blaze, but firefighters worked throughout the night to remove the animals.

"The fire started in the office, the cause has been narrowed down to electrical components in the office," Zackary said.

A crowd that included many of Kimbrough’s longtime clients had gathered out front, watching as the blaze destroyed the building and looking to see what they could do to help.

Christi Lee of Longview said she has been a client of the clinic for the past 20 years.

“I just picked up our dog yesterday,” she said while standing across Judson Road watching the blaze. “I was supposed to drop off two kittens tomorrow. Kenny (Kimbrough) was going to remove the stitches.”

Lee said Kimbrough was great with the animals and with people.

“Kenny Kimbrough is a great man, as well as a great doctor. His staff is so compassionate,” she said. “This is so heartbreaking.”

“It’s just devastating. He is so gentle and kind. Any of his clients would want to help in any way they can,” said Maley, who often boards her two dogs with Kimbrough.

“The thought of the owners hearing this news is just devastating,” she said. “This must be affecting Dr. Kimbrough horribly. I can’t imagine him having to call those families. Dr. Kimbrough is just a part of our family.”

"Everybody's in shock right now. I talked to Dr. Kimbrough. He is just numb right now and in shock," said Hart, who worked as a receptionist at the clinic from 2008 to 2011.

Hart said when she pulled up and saw the flames, her first thought was of the animals.

"All of those animals were precious. We love them like family. Everybody is asking right now what they can do to help. There's really not anything that you can do," she said. "It's heartbreaking. The animals depend on us to take care of them and to protect them. I can't imagine what was going through their minds."

The deceased animals were taken just after midnight to a building next door to the animal clinic for their owners to come and ID them. The animals have been wrapped up, but their heads are shown for the owners to easily identify them and take them home.

  Article By: Bridget Ortigo