WKRN News 2 Reporting
JOELTON, Tenn. – Several animals were killed in a fire at a Nashville animal rehabilitation center early Monday morning.
The call went out just after 4 a.m. at Walden’s Puddle on Jackman Road in Joelton.
According to WKRN News 2, Chairman and CEO Lane Brody said the smoke detectors were going off in three rooms, which alerted fire crews to the situation.
It started in the laundry room on the lower floor, next to an examination room, according to Brody.
When she arrived on scene she claimed there was smoke billowing out of the building.
Staff members shut all doors to the rooms with animals inside before they leave, which Brody claimed help keep the smoke out.
All the equipment in the room was reportedly shut off overnight.
Brody didn’t know how many animals were killed, but the worst seemed to be in the mammal room and some birds, she said.
Six months ago the organization was able to install smoke detectors in every room and Brody told News 2 if they hadn’t put those in, it would’ve been much worse, “This is a terrible thing. Everyone pray for these little animals, and all of our staff, and the ones that were lost, that we’ll mourn, but um, just the fact that it could’ve been so much worse we’ve got to be grateful.”
Walden’s Puddle is a rehabilitation center that takes in more than 3,500 injured and orphaned animals every year.
There was a lot of smoke damage to the building and Brody asked for help with the cleanup and prayers.
To help you can donate money to the facility on their website and get a list of supplies they need on their wish list.