30 Cats Killed, 2 People Hurt In Animal Rescue Fire

OLDTOWN, Md. (AP) -- The Maryland State Fire Marshal's Office says 30 cats died and two people suffered minor injuries from a fire at a private animal rescue in the western Maryland community of Oldtown.

The agency said in a statement that the fire at the Ark of Hope Rescue was reported shortly before 1:30 a.m. Friday.

The statement says two women were treated at a hospital in Cumberland and released. The fire marshal's office says one woman had a lacerated forearm and the other suffered minor smoke inhalation.

The statement says losses are estimated at $200,000 and that the cause of the blaze is under investigation.

Owner Dianne Care tells the Cumberland Times-News her husband released all the dogs in the building during the fire and none of them died.

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