A fire occurred Wednesday at an animal rescue facility in Andover, prompting firefighters to respond while staff and volunteers moved animals to safety. Nearby roads were temporarily closed as crews worked into the evening to transfer pets to temporary care.
Shelter and community response
The rescue, known locally as OSCAR, put out an urgent call on social media asking neighbors to come help evacuate dogs and foster animals. That plea was later pulled back when other rescues and foster homes stepped in to handle the overflow, according to Sparta Independent. Some volunteers who rushed over found police had already blocked the road for safety while shelter staff coordinated transfers to area veterinary clinics.
Road closures and official response
Hopatcong police alerted drivers to steer clear of Stanhope-Sparta Road, saying the closure stretched from Maxim Drive to the Byram bus stop while police, fire, EMS and animal control units managed the incident, per Patch. Local TV outlets and CBS New York captured footage of multiple fire units battling the blaze and securing the scene, as officials urged the public to stay away while the response played out.
How to help and what’s next
OSCAR's website and social media pages remain the main hubs for updates on the animals, foster needs and donation requests, according to the rescue's online posts. Reporters noted it was not immediately clear whether any people or animals had been hurt, and animals were being transported to nearby veterinary clinics for care, according to ABC7. Officials have not yet said what started the fire, and investigators and fire crews were expected to stay on scene while they assessed the damage and gathered information.
