August 06, 2008 | 10:37 AM
The Stony Brook home of Save-A-Pet founder Dori Scofield and her husband Gary was destroyed by fire Tuesday night. Eleven pets, seven dogs and four cats, were inside the house, but the Scofields themselves were not at home at the time of the fire. Included among the 11 animals killed were a litter of kittens that Scofield had been bottle-feeding, according to a statement issued by Save-A-Pet Animal Rescue late Wednesday. All 11 pets were previously rescued by the nonprofit organization.
Just before 9 pm Tuesday the Stony Brook Fire Department received the call. The house was fully involved when the first fire truck arrived a few minutes later. Firefighters were hampered by the narrow, one-lane road, Blydenburg Lane, and many firemen were forced to walk the length of the road to get to the location off Route 25A. Volunteers from Setauket, St. James, Nesconset and Hauppauge provided mutual aid to the SBFD.
Medics attended to a number of firefighters suffering from the high heat and humidity, and at least two were reported to have been transported to Stony Brook University Hospital with minor injuries.
Due to typical summer temperatures, teams from Stony Brook, Setauket, St. James and Nesconset alternated manning hoses after most firefighters had walked all the way up Blydenburg from 25A. Hauppauge provided an emergency back-up team.
Dori Scofield is the founder and president of Save-A-Pet in Port Jefferson Station, an animal rescue and adoption center. She and her husband Gary, an actuary, were out to dinner at the time of the fire, and none of their four children were at home, according to Lynne Schoepfer at Save-A-Pet. Schoepfer said the Scofields had lived in the Stony Brook colonial for about 25 years.
"I thank God that my children are safe," wrote Dori Scofield in the statement. "While my home and possessions can be replaced, we are all devastated as a family over the loss of our beloved pets. I have dedicated my life to saving abandoned and homeless animals and have never felt more helpless in my life. I thank everyone for their well wishes and prayers at this difficult time for our family."
The Suffolk County Police Arson Squad and Brookhaven Town fire marshals are investigating the cause of the fire, which quickly engulfed the house. No cause has yet been determined, alhtough the Save-A-Pet statement said, "The cause of the fire appears to be electrical."
Dori Scofield has asked that any donations be made to Save-A-Pet in the name of Gianni, her traveling companion and canine soul mate, killed in the fire.
11 animals die in Stony Brook house fire: NORTHSHOREOFLONGISLAND.COM - Powered by TBR Newspapers
Of course, thoughts are with Dori's family. Suffering the loss of a pet is devastating, particularly if you've devoted your life to keeping them alive and giving them life.
~ Kelly