A woman is dead and several animals were rescued after a vehicle crashed into the Brandywine Valley SPCA building in New Castle.
NEW CASTLE (DE): “We’re heartbroken to have lost these lives tonight,” said Adam Lamb, BVSPCA Chief Executive Officer. “It could have been even worse if not for the amazing work of the first responders and all the neighbors who worked together to get the animals out safely.”
Lamb said of the animals at the shelter, two cats needed emergency veterinary care; one died from its injuries, and the other is being treated for burns and smoke inhalation. Two other cats lost their lives in the fire. The other animals have been relocated to temporary housing and are being examined by medical personnel. A total of 98 animals were moved to other locations, 36 cats and 62 dogs.
Anyone who has been thinking of adopting should visit one of the other BVSPCA adoption locations: the Georgetown, DE, Campus; the PetSmart Everyday Adoption Center in Dover, DE; or the West Chester, PA. Campus, Sunday hours are 10am to 5pm.
You can also help us recover from this tragedy by making a donation to our animals, they have been through a lot during their time on this earth. We need to make this a distant memory and replace it with a loving home and unparalleled support.
Lamb added, since the damage was significant, we will be rerouting our phones so please be patient with us until then.
Earlier Sunday emergency crews were on the scene of a two alarm fire after a vehicle crashed into the Brandywine Valley SPCA building located in the 700 block of South Street in New Castle shortly after 12:15 a.m.
Delaware Newsline was on the scene shortly after 1:30 a.m. as police cordoned the area off with tape and was not allowing anyone near the building. Several fire companies from nearby stations were on the scene assisting volunteers with the safe-guarding of animals that were being rescued and removed from the building.
The driver, who did not survive was identified by family as 33-year old Latoya Cooper, a mother of five. Officials say she lost control of her vehicle and crashed into the building. As a result of the crash, a fire ignited, which caused the incident to be raised to a two alarm fire.
Sad night, car crashed into our New Castle site killing driver, 3 cats. 98 animals displaced. Help: adopt, donate. https://t.co/pYwKTHm8vi pic.twitter.com/tiMHEed2jh
— BrandywineValleySPCA (@BrandywineSPCA) July 9, 2017
The fire was extinguished within a half hour and the facility suffered smoke and water damage to the shelter section. The veterinary clinic suffered the most serious damage.
During the ordeal, firefighters, paramedics, and police officers weren’t the only ones to receive credit for their rescue and support efforts, neighbors provided bottled water for the distraught animals. Everywhere you looked there was somebody bringing water or trying to help. One nearby resident even provided a kiddie pool for the dogs. People were trying to help in any way they could.
While the investigation is preliminary, police have not yet determined what caused the driver to lose control of the vehicle she was operating when it crashed into the building.
POST-FIRE UPDATE: Animals doing well, 1 cat still in critical care. Pic shows clinic today. Pls adopt/donate: https://t.co/PEwkNZFLdh pic.twitter.com/uGGKm5x9Q7
— BrandywineValleySPCA (@BrandywineSPCA) July 9, 2017
The facility is expected to be closed until a building inspection can be completed, and the repairs and clean up can be done.
At 9 a.m. Sunday morning the BVSPCA had raised $6K of the $100K goal and by 10 p.m. it had jumped to $25,861.00. You can donate here.
