"All the animals are safe, and all the people are safe," said Chris Nelson, director of Animal Services. Animals were evacuated during the fire and later returned to the shelter when the fire was doused.

The Humane Society staff reported the fire after an unusually high amount of smoke was seen coming from the crematorium chimney at the shelter's facilities at 1111 S. Camino del Rio, near Wal-Mart.

Nelson said everyone, including animals in close proximity to the fire, was evacuated from both the building and the Humane Society Thrift Store next door. Veterinary hospitals and boarding facilities were put on standby in case animals had to be transported off the property.

According to Dave Abercrombie, public information officer for Durango Fire & Rescue Authority, firefighters used a specialized nozzle to spray and contain the fire within the chimney flue.

"We cooled it down so it's safe," he said. "They're good to go."

Nelson said the crematorium runs at about 1,800 degrees, and it had been operating for close to 30 minutes when the fire started. He also said the fire is the first of its kind in the six years he has been at the Humane Society.

"This has never happened. I'm sure there was some sort of malfunction with the equipment, and we'll find out more," he said.

Click here to send an email to the author