Janet Rehfus, a co-owner of Storm’s Ahead Kennels, said she is stricken with grief after nearly 30 dogs died in the early morning fire.
FRUITPORT TOWNSHIP, MI – The owners of a West Michigan boarding kennel that caught fire early Friday morning, killing about 30 dogs, said they are stricken with grief over the tragedy.
„We’re just devastated,“ said Janet Rehfus, one of the owners of Storm’s Ahead Kennels, located at 6911 E. Mount Garfield Road in southern Muskegon County. „Many of those dogs have been coming to me for years, some of them were dogs that we bred and sold. We’re heartbroken and trying to make sense of it all.“
Rehfus told MLive/Muskegon Chronicle that she woke up around 4:41 a.m and noticed the fire’s glow. The kennel house was located nearby and to the right of Refhus‘ residence on the same property. She immediately called the fire department, and began notifying customers around 5 a.m.
The kennel was engulfed in flames when the first firefighters arrived on the scene, said Brian Michelli, public safety director for Fruitport Township.
„There was no ability to do a rescue,“ he said.
Dozens of dogs die in fire at West Michigan boarding kennel
As of 9:30 a.m., most of the kennel’s customers had been made aware of the fire, Rehfus added.
„Everyone has been very apologetic and reaching out to us,“ said Rehfus, who has operated the kennel for nearly 17 years.
That includes many of their customers who lost pets in the early morning fire.
„They’re sending lots of prayers,“ Rehfus said. „They are praying for us as much as they are praying for them. We’ve been crying together with them all morning long.“
Storm’s Ahead Kennels describes itself as „your dog’s vacation resort.“ It’s located between Muskegon and Grand Rapids.
The area is not served by hydrants, and the Crockery Township and Egelston Township fire departments assisted with tankers, said Brian Michelli, public safety director for Fruitport Township. Canteen 450 out of Norton Shores also responded to support firefighters at the scene.
Spring break began Friday for most schools in the area and the kennel was full as a result, Michelli said.
