Authorities say a fire burned down a Long Island cat shelter, killing its founder, who lived there, and more than 100 of the felines he rescued.

There were hundreds of cats inside at the time of the fire and officials say the owner went back into the home to rescue the animals.

A man and “numerous” cats were killed Monday morning in a fire at a Long Island animal sanctuary. The fire occurred around 7 a.m. in Medford, according to the Suffolk County Police Department. Christopher Arsenault, 65, was found dead in the destroyed home after firefighters were able to get the flames under control, officials said.

Rescue volunteers say it will take at least two weeks to capture and move about 200 cats from the site of the Happy Cat Sanctuary that burned down in Medford, as well as from the surrounding neighborhood.

A fire burned down a cat shelter in suburban New York, killing its founder and more than 100 of the felines he rescued and sparking a rescue operation for dozens of cats still roaming the destroyed property.