Animal shelter destroyed in blaze: How you can help these pets

All the animals at the Montclair Animal Shelter are safe after a fire on Sunday afternoon.

The Montclair Fire Department said the fire broke out around noon in the rear of the building on Willow Street. It damaged the roof as well as a car parked in the back. No one was injured in the blaze, according to the fire department.

"We are grateful for so — the staff and volunteers who risked their lives to remove every single animal from a burning building, who set up triage for the vetting of animals with smoke inhalation and ensured the safety of our animals during evacuation, the surrounding shelters and rescue groups who offered to take our pets," read a post on the shelter's Facebook page.

The animals were taken to several residences and businesses. Two businesses donated food and supplies for the rescued animals, the shelter said.

A Fundly page has been created to help fund the repair and redesign of the building.

"The Friends of the Montclair Township Animal Shelter (FOMTAS) was already planning a remodel of the building due to the age and condition of the building but now our plans need to be expedited! FOMTAS is in immediate need of funds for emergent medical expenses, short term repairs so the animals and staff can return to the building, and then construction documents and funds for construction to ensure the safety and wellbeing of shelter residents," wrote the page's creator, Karen Sacks.

The Montclair Fire Department is investigating the cause of the fire, which was put out with help from the Irvington, South Orange, West Orange, and Orange fire departments.

Because of the fire, the Montclair Police Department, at 973-744-1234, will take all calls concerning animal control issues, the shelter said in an announcement Monday. The Township is working with Clifton Animal Control to handle strays, injured animals and other situations requiring animal control assistance, it said.