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Animal shelter in Münnerstadt
Photo: Stefan Weber / dpa
More than 60 animals were killed in a fire in an animal shelter in Lower Franconia.
The fire broke out on Wednesday evening, the police said.
The home is in Münnerstadt in the Bad Kissingen district.
The police received "a first desperate emergency call" at around 8:20 pm.
The caller described the dramatic situation on site as "audibly shocked."
Thick smoke had already oozed out of the building, and flames could be seen behind the windows.
Windows burst due to the great heat.
Roof structure collapsed
Despite a large number of regional fire brigades, the emergency services could no longer prevent the flames from spreading to the entire building.
Part of the roof structure collapsed during the extinguishing work.
More than 70 firefighters were reportedly on site.
According to initial information, a number of cats and a few dogs died.
The damage to the building is in the "high six-figure range".
The criminal police in Schweinfurt determined the cause of the fire.
jpz / dpa / AFP