Fire destroys the Southside Animal Shelter facility, no animals harmed

Indianapolis, Indiana – Firefighters reported that no animals were harmed as a result of the Monday morning fire at an Indianapolis animal shelter.

Crews from the Indianapolis Fire Department arrived on the scene shortly after 1:20 a.m. to put out a fire in a barn at the Southside Animal Shelter, which is situated at 1614 W. Edgewood Ave. South of I-465, between Harding Street and State Road 37, is a business and industrial sector.

“Firefighters arrived to find the barn fully involved. They brought the blaze under control in 25 minutes,” IFD tweeted.

For almost 30 years, Southside Animal Shelter has sought for forever homes for cats and dogs in need. The structure, which was used for storing supplies, performing laundry, and washing dishes, according to Rosie Ellis, the shelter’s founder and executive director, is a total loss.

“This is where our laundry was done, dishes, and nearly all of our supplies were stored,” Ellis wrote on Facebook. “This is also the building where our feral cats have access to heat and shelter. Those cats are still not accounted for, but it’s dark and it’s been an eventful night; I’m hopeful we will locate everyone over the next few days.”

Ellis said she is “not clear yet” how the neighborhood can assist but has vowed to provide an update once she is more aware of the needs of the facility.

“We are grateful for IFD, words will certainly fail us here. They contained the fire and stopped us from losing the other buildings and dozens of animals,” Ellis said.

No members of the shelter personnel or firefighters were wounded.

The origin of the fire was being looked into.