Ants are being blamed for a house fire that killed at least nine cats in Daytona Beach, Sentinel reporter Gary Taylor reports:
Carpenter ants built a large nest around an electrical outlet, Daytona Beach fire Lt. Fred Godawa said. The ants electrically grounded themselves and this morning they caught on fire, causing flames to shootout of the outlet and spread to nearby furniture, he said.
There were as many as 80 cats at the home, including some in cages outside, he said.
Smoke and flames were coming from a front window when firefighters arrived. Once the fire was contained, firefighters began the task of rounding up cats. In all, they brought out 36 cats, including the nine dead ones, Godawa said. Dozens more cats escaped from the burning house on their own, he said.
Firefighters used special animal oxygen masks to try to revive some of the cats, Godawa said.
Two of the cats were taken to a local veterinarian and about two dozen were taken to the Flagler Humane Society.
The home is owned by David and Rhonda Spivey, Daytona Beach police Investigator Jimmie Flynt said. The woman told firefighters she started off with a couple of cats and then began taking in strays. Eventually, people started dropping off cats at her home, she said.
There was also a report of a dog in the house.
"I didn't see the dog, but I know that there were a lot of cats there," Godawa said.
The homeowners could have been cited for operating without a license and exceeding the number of animals allowed in a residence, but will not be charged, Flynt said.
Damage to the house and contents was estimated at $80,000 and the loss was not insured, Flynt said.
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