Cleanup Starts at Fire-Damaged Pet Shop Building

Work started on Wednesday to clean up damages from a building fire above Pick of the Litter, , uprooted the pet store and upstairs occupant and left the building too dangerous to be occupied, according to building inspectors.

Town of Smithtown Chief Building Inspector William White said the work on Wednesday was for general debris cleanup and repairs to the electrical system of the building. However, the building owner still hasn't filed permits to repair the structural damage left by the fire.

Meanwhile, signs taped to the doors by the inspectors declare the building "unsafe," but that doesn't mean it's condemned.

"We don't condemn buildings," White said. "It's just certain ares not permitted to be occupied," he said.

Since the July 23 fire, the pet store has stood empty in the heart of town, and the 70 dogs and cats rescued from the fire were allegedly sent to friends of the shop owner, .

The Suffolk County Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals said Wednesday they are still investigation whether there was any wrongdoings in the care of the animals.

The fire started above the shop, in an upstairs apartment, killing a mother dog and four of her puppies who were in another apartment.