An early morning house fire in Terre Haute around 3 AM at 1440 8^th Avenue.

Fire crews found heavy flames shooting through the roof of the home on the cities near north side. Police say that the house was used as a home for cats, and estimates are that were as many as 100 cats kept in cages inside the home.

It appears that all of the animals are OK.

The fire was contained to the attic area and a cause has not been determined.

Property owner Jim Kitchen says that he bought the house and converted into a makeshift animal shelter and that it was not properly zoned.

Animal control officers said that he ran the cat refuge beautifully and was not an animal hoarder.

Kitchen operated his operation properly when it came to money with funds from his own pocket and from donations from the public.

So did they city know about this operation?

It turns out they did but, everything was being handled by attorneys who hadn’t decided what should be done about the Good Samaritan.

Anyone wishing to adopt a cat, foster a cat, or make a donation can contact Jim Kitchen or his helper, Jenny Maxwell, at (812) 230 – 3822.

_____________________________________________________________________________

An early morning house fire in Terre Haute around 3 AM at 1440 8^th Avenue.

Fire crews found heavy flames shooting through the roof of the home on the cities near north side. Police say that the house was used as a home for cats, and estimates are that were as many as 100 cats kept in cages inside the home.

It appears that all of the animals are OK.

The fire was contained to the attic area and a cause has not been determined.