Probe continues into fire fatal to pets

Karen Zekan

Tuesday, Dec. 10, 1996 | 11:59 a.m.

Fire investigators are interviewing whom they call "key people" in connection with a suspicious restaurant fire, the smoke from which killed 66 animals in a nearby clinic.

Bob Leinbach, spokesman for Clark County Fire Department, declined to specify whether the individuals with whom they are continuing interviews could be deemed suspects.

"The investigation is progressing well, and we feel we're on the right track," Leinbach said. "We're looking to spend more time interviewing these key people. We wish we could conclude the investigation right now, but we can't until the right element manifests itself."

Fire officials are still waiting for the laboratory analysis results of at least six samples taken from the charred rubble of the once Alias Smith & Jones restaurant at 541 E. Twain Ave., which caught fire about 4 a.m. Nov. 29.

Two dogs and 64 cats housed that Thanksgiving weekend inside the Animal Clinic of St. Francis died from inhaling the fire's smoke, which authorities believe may have traveled through the building's vents and the strip mall's common ceiling airspace.

Several doors down from the gutted restaurant, the smoke-damaged clinic has been forced to temporarily suspend its medical services, which included low-cost spaying, neutering, vaccinating and treating injured and sick pets.

Area veterinarians donated their assistance to accommodate the surviving animals -- some of whom were recovering from surgery -- and volunteers are fostering in their homes those animals that had been at the clinic awaiting adoption or their owners' return.

Yet life continues for the clinic, despite the heartbreak and emotional devastation its staff and volunteers are still recovering from.

Media coverage of the fire's impact on the clinic's animals brought an outpouring of support from the public. In one day, clinic volunteer Peggy Flaim said, three kittens and one calico cat were adopted, as were an Airedale mix and three pit bulls, among them a puppy and one that is blind.

Another of the kittens has since died from complications from the fire, and several more felines have colds, she said.

"This has just been devastating for us," Flaim said. "This isn't a job you do for money. It's a job you do because you love animals. All the calls we have received are a result of the media attention. We've had people who have volunteered to come in and help us clean and to donate food. The support has really helped."

Donations to assist the low-cost clinic can be made to Wells Fargo Bank, account number 184-010-6302. To adopt a pet, call 733-2011.