A fire in the basement of a Stevensville home operating as an animal sanctuary has claimed the lives of about 30 cats.

Firefighters were called to Happy Days Sanctuary on Burger Road shortly after 12:30 p.m. Sunday.

Fort Erie Fire and Emergency Services Chief Mark Schmitt said the fire started in a utility room and is believed to have been caused by a mechanical failure of some kind.

Located on 14 hectares of land, the sanctuary provides shelter, medical care and permanent homes for dogs, cats, goats, horses and other animals left behind in a crisis.

Schmitt said some of the animals in the home were undergoing treatment or were disabled and thus unable to get out on their own.

“Unfortunately, there were a number of cats involved that perished,” he said, putting the number at about 30.

See Full Page