More than 40 dogs have died after a blaze at one of the country’s largest dogs’ homes.
Emergency services were called to Manchester Dogs’ Home in Mossbrook Road, Harpurhey, at about 7.10pm last night.
Distraught neighbours said they could hear the animals yelping as fire fighters battled the severe blaze.
The fire was eventually doused as some of the dogs were rescued, but Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service (GMFRS) confirmed that 43 had died, with many more injured.
A spokesman said: “Sadly despite our best efforts, a number of dogs have died tonight at a fire in Harpurhey.”
Two heroic animal-lovers risked their lives to run into the building and rescue 20 dogs.
More than 200 well-wishers have also gathered outside, many offering to re-home the pets.
Thousands of people have raised more than £80,000 in just four hours on two JustGiving pages.
The home, which also has a site in Cheshire, opened in 1893 and has re-homed more than one million dogs.
