Up to 60 dogs are feared to have died or been injured in a horror incident that saw a sanctuary burn to the ground after a reported lightning strike.
Jeffrey Godsoe, 70, is the owner of a sanctuary in the Spanish countryside, near Valencia, that was hit by a devastating blaze.
Firefighters initially refused to let the stricken pensioner back into the property after the fire was put out due to it being unsafe, reports the Express.
An update by Jeffrey's daughter Sarah said: "[Dad] managed to get back to his place yesterday. The main, stone building is relatively unscathed which is excellent news.
"There is no greenery. Everything is covered in ashes. The metal fences have melted but still standing.
"He has found several dogs which didn't make it. I wont go into detail and several are ill affected by the heat and smoke undoubtedly.
"He is certain more will show effects from the fires in the up and coming days. But a larger number of dogs appear unscathed."
Footage showed at least four of the dogs "running free" when firefighters arrived, but most of the site was reported to be ablaze.
The retired security firm owner saw the fire start around 12.30am on Sunday, August 21. He dashed to open a gate before being forced to evacuate.
Sarah, 38, told the Express the moment her father informed her of the news was the first time she heard him cry.
She said: "Dad phoned me today and he was in tears. It was horrible. He thinks he will lose all the dogs and it's upsetting him. I had never heard my dad cry before.
The Norfolk grandfather spent £40,000 setting up the sanctuary in which people would throw dogs over the walls for him to look after.
Many of the dogs reportedly had health problems or suffered from abuse and neglect before they ended up at the sanctuary.
"He lives and breathes animals so a sanctuary like this is what he has always wanted. People heard about him there and now he is known as 'the wild man with the dogs' by locals," Sarah added.
A GoFundMe has been set up and has surpassed its initial target of £1,200, with the total now standing at £1,526.
Originally from Dereham in Norfolk, kind locals have offered to go over to Spain and help him with the rebuilding process.
Living alone, Jeffrey was offered a place to stay in the village hall but has chosen to remain close by his property in Spain and is sleeping in his car.
Sarah said: "The sanctuary had massive runs for the dogs through vineyards. He'd put in chicken wire fencing, which was all alight in the pictures and video I saw. It was all on fire.
"There were all different dogs, different breeds. Some had been dumped out of cars on motorways, others had had strokes and been through other painful things. Some were pregnant and had puppies when they were at the sanctuary.
"They just lived with dad. They would be thrown over the fence because people began to know of dad and the sanctuary. Dad never rehomed any, he just wanted them to settle with him and live out the rest of their lives in peace."
