150 birds, dog die in fire at Las Vegas sanctuary

By Tiffany Gibson

Published Friday, March 19, 2010 | 7:03 a.m.

Updated Friday, March 19, 2010 | 2:49 p.m.

A fire damaged a building and killed about 150 birds Friday morning at the Gilcrease Nature Sanctuary in the northwest Las Vegas Valley.

Las Vegas Fire & Rescue responded to the fire shortly before 5:30 a.m. at the sanctuary at 8103 Racel St., which is northeast of U.S. 95 and Durango. The fire destroyed the rehab building at the private nature preserve and sanctuary.

Clark County Fire Department spokesman Scott Allison said about 150 birds and a German Shepherd guard dog were killed. He said all of the animals killed in the fire were taken to Clark County Animal Control for cremation.

Thirty to 40 birds that were injured in the fire were taken to the North Las Vegas Animal Control facility for treatment, Allison said.

Firefighters said three people were sleeping inside another building at the sanctuary when one of them was awakened by popping sounds.

Fire department spokesman Tim Szymanski said someone at the sanctuary used a fire hose to try to battle flames, but the one-story wooden building was fully ablaze when firefighters arrived.

Investigators said one man suffered minor smoke inhalation injuries and was treated at the scene.

Firefighters were leaving the scene this morning as investigators tried to determine how the fire started.

Vernon Weir, director for the American Sanctuary Association, said the fire is one of the deadliest involving animals he has seen in the last 10 years.

The preserve is a nonprofit sanctuary, education center and rescue operation for animals including tortoises and horses. It has housed large birds including ostriches and emus, along with smaller species like finches, parakeets and parrots.

The fire is being investigated by the Clark County Fire Department.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.