Thick, black smoke filled the air as firefighters tried to douse the fast-moving blaze. (kgw.com Photo/Marion County Fire Dept.) Posted on 09/05/2002 10:06:44 PM PDT by Jolly Rodgers
7,000 Animals Die in Local Barn Fire
The animals – ranging from rats, ferrets and hamsters, to rabbits, exotic birds and guinea pigs -- were being raised to sell as pets.
"My guess is, most of the animals perished from smoke, which is merciful," said Bill O'Neil with the Marion County Fire Department. "The heat doesn’t get to them, the smoke and gas does."
Thick, black smoke filled the air as firefighters tried to douse the fast-moving blaze. (kgw.com Photo/Marion County Fire Dept.)
O'Neil said everything inside the barn was vaporized. For that reason, investigators may never know exactly what ignited the fire or where it started.
"By the time firefighting units got there, the fire had advanced to the point that 80 percent of the structure was fully involved. The fire just swept through the 135 x 42 foot barn from end to end,” according to O'Neil.
Businessman Terry Jones leased the barn and raised the animals to sell to local pet stores. The Oregon Zoo is one of his many area customers.
Marion County Fire Marshal Paula Smith said the destruction was "devastating."
The fire moved too fast to save any of the animals inside the barn. (kgw.com Photo/Marion County Fire Dept.)
The property -- at 6693 Sunnyview Road NE -- is owned by James and Joyce Sipe.
Jones said he did not have insurance. The blaze moved so fast, none of the animals inside could be saved. The value of the animals was estimated in the thousands of dollars.
Investigators confirmed that Jones had a federal license to run the business. He's been in the business the past 25 years and at the barn location the past 17 years.
Jones said now, the fire is forcing him to get out of the small animal business. "That's 25 years up in smoke, simple as that," he said.
You are correct. It was not mentioned in this article. However, the talk on the street is that an "event" was expected. The question now is whether they will officially take credit, seeing as how they managed to kill so many of the animals they claim to be saving.
Doughuts to dollars says you are right, right, right. Because: 1)The speed at which the fire spread, and 2) The fact that the fellow had no insurance, thus no motive to set the fire.
Hey, hey, easy there--I think I'm distantly related. There aren't that many Shumways around. :)
That, and he could have liquidated and made more money. And, someone in that business for 25 years would have more compassion for the animals.
This just breaks my heart.
Probably not. I just hope someone snitches them out and they end up in prison with Jeffrey Luers (aka Free).
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