18 dogs die in Stacy, Minnesota boarding kennel fire

STACY, Minn. (FOX 9) - A fire at a boarding kennel in Stacy, Minnesota claimed the lives of all 18 dogs inside, the Isanti County Sheriff's confirmed Tuesday.

Isanti County deputies and firefighters were dispatched to Waterview Kennels at 7695 245th Ave NE at 4:35 a.m. Tuesday. The kennel was engulfed in flames and collapsing when the first deputies arrived on scene.

Elizabeth Medina took her dog, Ogee, to Waterview Kennels, although she was not there at the time of the fire.

"[It's] absolutely devastating so many people lost their companions," Medina said. "I couldn't even imagine that."

Medina said the owners of the kennel were always so welcoming, and even though Ogee is high energy, she always knew she was taking her to the right place.

"They had a lot of love for their animals," Medina said. "You could tell and how they greeted us when we walked in the door. They were like, 'Oh hi Ogee' and they already knew her name the second time she was there. You could tell they had a connection."

The owners of the kennel lived in a house just fifty feet away from the kennel facility. They were clearly devastated when FOX 9 spoke with them on Tuesday.

"Just devastation, just the way they express their love for the animals, that's the only thing I can think of, they're probably beside themselves," Medina said.

The cause of the fire is unknown and is under investigation by the State Fire Marshal.