A somber mood envelops Bartlett as the community reels from a devastating fire at the PetMatchMaker Rescue South, a beloved local animal rescue center. The blaze, which took place yesterday morning at a residence on Sycamore View Road, claimed the lives of several pets and injured others, with the actual number of animal casualties still to be determined. Resident Alderman Kevin Quinn, bearing witness to the tragedy, lamented the loss and lauded the non-profit’s efforts, "They’re a great local non-profit that rescues dogs. Dogs that are in pretty tough conditions," Quinn stated, as reported by WREG.
In the wake of the fire, which the Bartlett Fire Department suggests was caused by an electrical issue, the community and officials like Quinn, struggle to come to terms with the loss, simultaneously scrambling to provide support for the affected, amidst the chaos, the fire claimed the lives of pets including some recently rescued puppies and kittens. The owners, dedication to animal welfare notwithstanding, are now left grappling with both the destruction of their home and the wellbeing of their cherished rescue animals, Alderman Quinn shared his vivid recollection of the incident with FOX13, "And so, we just headed on by. I got down Court; I could see the white smoke," Quinn recalled, further specifying his role in alerting the firefighters to the presence of the imperiled pets.
While heartfelt relief washes over the fact that no human injuries were reported, except for one firefighter who suffered minor injuries during the effort to extinguish the fire, the toll on PetMatchMaker Rescue South is severe. The rescue, which operates solely on the goodwill and toil of volunteers and fosters, offers sanctuary and a new lease on life for animals at risk of euthanasia. As echoed by Quinn in his statement, as per WREG, the focus for those involved with the organization remains firmly on the animals, “She could care less about that home. It’s the dogs. All those dogs in her care,” he said.
