The Associated Press

LEITCHFIELD, Ky. - Nearly 50 dogs and cats died in a fire that gutted an animal shelter early Friday morning.

Grayson County Humane Society spokesperson Kim Stallings said 26 dogs and 23 cats died in the blaze, which began about 3:30 a.m.

Leitchfield public works director Darrell Harrell said the cause of the fire was still under investigation. Firefighters took three hours to extinguish the blaze, he said.

No people were inside the shelter when the fire started, Stallings said.

When firefighters arrived, they immediately freed 11 dogs that were living in kennel runs adjacent to the main building. The dogs were later corralled, Stallings said.

Another 14 dogs living in outdoor kennels also were saved, she said.

The shelter was built 12 years ago, Harrell said. The humane society has operated it since June 2003, Stallings said.

Only six animals have been euthanized since the humane society has operated it, Stallings said.

Another animal shelter was already under construction in Leitchfield, Stallings said. It is scheduled to open this summer.

Stallings said the humane society was looking for homes for nine animals late Friday. Members of the Bowling Green Humane Society took 14 of the dogs, Stallings said.