Long Island, NY – Investigators have ruled out arson as the reason for the devastating fire that killed at least 100 cats and Chris Arsenault, the owner/founder of the Happy Cat Sanctuary, on March 31. According to the Brookhaven Fire Marshal, the cause of the deadly blaze is officially “undetermined.”

Brookhaven Fire Marshal Chris Mehrmann said:

“Cannot rule out a fire caused by propane-fed portable heaters that were in the area of fire origin.”

Investigators determined the fire spread because of holes that were cut into the walls and flooring for the cats.

Fire officials had been working with Arsenault to address various code violations at the sanctuary. Approximately 300 cats lived at the sanctuary before the deadly fire broke out.

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