Pet shop fire kills about 20 animals

Karene Kidwell’s worst fear came true Monday.

Kidwell, owner of Delilah’s Pet Shop, watched as the Bloomington Fire Department tried to extinguish a fire at the shop.

The fire department was notified of the blaze at about 6:15 a.m. The fire took about three hours to extinguish.

Bloomington Fire Department Chief Roger Kerr said the department is currently investigating the cause. Kerr said the building is a total loss.

Twelve animals were rescued from the fire, but about 20 animals, including cats and dogs, were killed in the blaze. No one was at the pet shop when the fire broke out.

Kidwell said the animals that were rescued were taken to the Arlington Heights Veterinary Hospital.

Mike Livingston, manager at the veterinary hospital, said the 12 animals are a mixture of dogs and cats and are all doing well.

“We’ve had a lot of calls from concerned people wanting to help,” Livingston said.
Livingston also added that he’s not sure whether the animals will be placed in foster homes.

But, Kidwell, 66, is worried about the future.

Vanessa McClary, a friend of Kidwell’s, tried to look at the bright side.

“Maybe this will be a blessing for her,” McClary said. “Maybe she’ll get a fresh start.”
Lynn Southern, another close friend, praised Kidwell.

“She has an incredible wealth of knowledge,” Southern said. “I bought my dogs from Karene. I bought my food from Karene. Karene helps with nutritional solutions to problems instead of chemicals and drugs. She’s the best.”

Kidwell said she’ll miss treating and connecting with the animals the most.

“The thing that I hate most about this is that I do a lot of work with dogs with allergies, and I won’t be able to help them now,” she said.

The 22 year-old pet shop, originally called Custom Grooming, was named for Kidwell’s late St. Bernard, Delilah. Delilah died on July 2, and Kidwell said after this, she’s glad the dog died when she did.

“She would have been a mess if she got out (of the fire),” Kidwell said. “When we moved stores, she couldn’t figure out what happened.”

Many people have offered their support and kindness through the tough times, Kidwell said.

“These little kindnesses,” she said, “are something that you can’t buy.”

-Managing Editor Sara Amato contributed this report.