PERRYSBURG, Ohio — At around 2 a.m. on Sunday, the Lake Township Fire Department was dispatched to the 2400 block of Genoa Road after a fire at Bark N Lounge LLC, a dog boarding and grooming business.
According to authorities, two people and 10 dogs were rescued from the fire. When first responders arrived at the scene, the owners of the business had many of the dogs outside already. Firefighters helped rescue the remaining dogs from their kennels and a fenced-in area outdoors.
According to a press release from the Lake Township Fire Department, all dogs made it to safety. However, according to the owners, one dog died after it was placed into a vehicle with another dog that was dog-aggressive. The dog-aggressive dog attacked the other dog, which died from its injuries.
Authorities faced many issues when battling this fire, including weather-related issues and an explosion risk from a 100-pound propane tank forced firefighters to retreat from the building.
According to Lake Township Fire Chief Barrett Dorner, the decision to pull crews from inside the building was made jointly with the owners.
"At one point, that tank was venting, meaning it was so hot, the safety device that keeps it from exploding was doing its job, for now,” Chief Dorner said. “But that tank wasn’t meant to be in a burning building, and it could have blown up anytime, with no warning at all.”
The fire originally started in a motor home nearby and the wind pushed the flames into the attic of the business. Authorities said that the wind helped spread the fire quickly. Crews on scene said that it caused the attic space to sound like a jet engine above them.
Additionally, the sub-zero temperatures caused issues for responding crews, as fire hoses and fire engines froze while firefighters trying to battle the flames. Firefighters were monitored for hypothermia and frostbite as well.
According to a Facebook post made by Bark N Lounge, the structure of the business is a complete loss and any services at this time have been canceled. Owners have been made aware of the incident and all dogs currently at the facility are being sent to temporary housing.
"This isn’t something that will just wash off. the pain and panic the complete loss of our family owned and operated business has now gone including my house. And my fathers camper which had all my and my partners belongings in it. We are beyond devastated but glad everyone made it out in one piece
Meanwhile if anyone has any live traps please let me know as our kennel cat Marley was seen running out the back into the field and we couldn’t get to her in time. We would like to set traps to try to get her after this all calms down a bit.
I’m thankful that my family is safe. I'm grateful we got out without damage done to us or our beloved employees. Watching these walls crumble is watching out passions and dreams crumble also. Please be patient with us as we lost ALL of our things to the kennel and most of my things in the house. Thank you all again. We don’t know what the future holds but we will keep everyone updated."
- Bark N Lounge, LLC
