Official: More Than A Dozen Dogs Killed In Fire At Former Long Island Diner

CORAM, N.Y. (CBSNewYork) -- More than a dozen animals were killed after a fire broke out at a former Long Island eatery that was being renovated into a new animal shelter.

The fire broke out at a former diner on Middle Country Road in Coram early Wednesday morning.

According to Suffolk County SPCA Chief Roy Gross, 14 dogs and one cat were killed in the blaze. Five other dogs were rescued, but suffered smoke inhalation, Gross said. All of the animals were in cages at the time of the fire, Gross said. 

"It's very sad when an animal can't escape," Gross said. "Absolutely horrible."

As of Wednesday afternoon, there was no word on what caused the blaze, WCBS 880's Sophia Hall reported.

The SPCA will be investigating to make sure the animals were being properly cared for in the time before the fire.