Fire breaks out next to an animal shelter in California

RIVERSIDE COUNTY, Calif. (NBC, KYMA/KECY) - A raging fire forced rescuers to evacuate dozens of animals from a California shelter Tuesday.

The fire, which began in a vacant mobile home, threatened nearby buildings, including the Animal Samaritans shelter.

Workers scrambled to get about 30 cats and 50 dogs out of harms way and into another facility.

Jarred Ellis, a director at Animal Samaritans, says several community members just showed up with carriers and crates to help.

"It was very scary, very intense. A lot of our staff need to take a few minutes to just catch their breath and recognize what happened and how heroic everybody was from our staff and the local community who showed up as well to help," Ellis expressed.

Ellis says all employees and animals are safe, and he says it appears their shelter will have just minor damage.