A fire at the Manchester Dogs' Home kennel Thursday night has killed at least 60 animals and injured at least 150 others, but donors have responded with an overwhelming amount of support, offering a staggering $1.4 million to an online fund set up by a local newspaper.
Authorities told the BBC News that a 15-year-old boy has been arrested on suspicion of arson in connection to the fire. The boy, whose name was not released, remains in custody, but no other details are available.
Lisa Graham, manager of the Manchester Dogs' Home, said she and other workers and volunteers moved as many dogs as possible out of the burning building overnight.
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"We had 150 dogs to move and we did so," she told the Mirror U.K. "We had staff going into the building under police escort. It was almost like a chain of people moving the dogs."
Greater Manchester Police Superintendent Marcus Noden told BBC News that the department has received "overwhelming" support from the public, and noted that residents have allowed the authorities to carry out their investigation and have not interfered in their work.
"As a dog owner myself I understand that many people will feel angry and upset about what has happened but I would ask that they let the police carry out their investigations and not take matters into their own hands," Noden said.
"We have received an overwhelming response from the public and would ask if anyone wants to help they can make donations of food or bedding to North Manchester divisional headquarters on Northampton Road in Newton Heath."
The BBC noted that the home has been around since 1893 and cares for more than 7,000 dogs annually.
According to the website JustGiving.com, a donation page set up by the Manchester Evening News for the Manchester Dogs' Home has raised more than £878,000, roughly $1.4 million.
In a statement released Friday, the Manchester Dogs' Home said the funds will go a long way in helping them recover from the incident.
"The staff and trustees of Manchester Dogs' Home would like to express their enormous gratitude for the huge support received from the public following the devastating fire on site during the night," the statement read. "All of the surviving dogs are now in transit — the majority of them going to sister site Cheshire Dogs' Home near Warrington — and those in need of veterinary treatment have been receiving it."
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