Man, over 100 cats, killed in fire at Happy Cat Sanctuary in Medford

Suffolk County Police Homicide Squad and Arson Section detectives are investigating a house fire that killed a man in Medford on March 31.

Sixth Precinct officers responded to a residence on Dourland Road at approximately 7:15 a.m. after multiple 911 callers reported a fire at the location. After the fire was extinguished, resident Christopher Arsenault, 65, was found deceased in the home.

Arsenault lived on the property that was also the location for Happy Cat Sanctuary. There were 300 cats inside at the time of the fire and officials say the owner went back into the home to rescue the animals. Over 100 cats perished in the fire.

According to a post by Strong Island Animal Rescue, foster families are needed to help care for the surviving cats.

The cause of the fire remains under investigation.