Propane heater fire leads to tragic end for 30 cats

FALLS VILLAGE — A fire Friday evening, Nov. 4, killed 30 cats and destroyed two buildings and a maintenance shed at The Last Post, an animal sanctuary and cat retirement home on Belden Street.Last Post business manager Susan Gregan was on the scene Monday morning, surveying the damage.She said a preliminary report from fire marshal Stan MacMillan stated the cause of the fire was a wall-mounted propane heater.Gregan said the fire was called in around 7:30 p.m.by someone on the other side of the Housatonic River. The Last Post’s property runs downhill to the river. “They could see the glow and the smoke.”Fire companies from Falls Village, Lakeville and North Canaan responded.Gregan had nothing but praise for the responders. “They did an incredible job.”Also lost in the blaze were bedding, blankets, washers, dryers and other appliances.The cats that died were all from one estate, Gregan said, and had been relocated temporarily while work was done on the main building, which was not seriously harmed in the blaze.The Last Post was still without power at that point, following the Oct. 30 snowstorm.“It’s sad, it’s devastating,” Gregan said, looking at half a dozen memorial floral arrangements for the dead cats, left near the charred remains of the buildings. “We got a lot of calls, asking how to help.”The night of the fire all Last Post staff members (plus spouses) and all the board members (plus spouses) were on hand. Former employees and their spouses showed up, too. The fire was hot enough that thick plastic garbage cans melted, and in the next building to the south, at least 25 yards away, sap ran from the woodwork and windows cracked.Another building located to the north of the burn site is intact and is ready for new feline tenants, Gregan said.“We can get at least 50 cats in there.”The Last Post was established in 1982 by Pegeen Fitzgerald of New York City and Kent. Fitzgerald, a New York radio personality, advertising executive, author and animal advocate, wanted to provide a safe and homelike surrounding for animals whose owners had died or were no longer able to care for them.Donations can be sent to The Last Post Rebuilding Fund, care of People’s United Bank, PO Box 927, North Canaan, CT 06018. Also needed are blankets and cat carriers.For more information on the facility, go to www.thelastpostonline.org.