Veterinarian loses clinic in fire

TORONTO, CANADA — A malfunctioning dryer caused an animal-clinic fire that killed five dogs; 11 other pets escaped.

Firefighters responded to the Thornhill Veterinary Clinic the evening of Dec. 23 in time to remove 10 dogs from the basement, where the fire started, and six cats from an upstairs boarding area.

Five of the rescued dogs died and four others were taken to a nearby emergency clinic. The cats were placed in a nearby kennel.

The animals were being boarded while their owners were out of town for the holidays.

Damage to the clinic was estimated at $50,000.