Electrical failure blamed in Cape animal hospital fire
By Globe Staff
An explosion and fire Monday at the Cape Cod Animal Hospital in Barnstable that killed one dog and three cats was caused by an electrical failure, state and local officials said today.
The accident happened when arcing from one of the two electrical feeds to the building "compromised the gas piping and allowed gas to flow into the building," State Fire Marshal Stephen Coan said in a statement.
The gas was then ignited by one of a number of possible sources, such as the furnace, the hot water heater, or the generator, Coan said.
Coan noted that the accident was one of several recent high-profile accidents in which natural gas has been involved, but he emphasized that "the circumstances of each of them are completely different."
No people were hurt in the fire, which struck at about 8 Monday night. Two men were credited with saving at least 12 dogs, the Globe reported today. One dog's owners say he is still on the loose.
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There seem to have been more destruction of property through gas fires this winter season that any other season that I can remember. I am happy that I do not heat my home with volatile and dangerous gas.