BILLINGS, Mont. – Yellowstone Valley Animal Shelter (YVAS) is temporarily closed after a smoke incident led to an evacuation and employee hospitalizations.

Triniti Halverson, Executive Director at YVAS, confirmed that staff had to leave the shelter after smoke filled the building. The incident occurred when law enforcement used the on-site crematorium to burn "police evidence."

Halverson stated that several employees were taken to Billings Clinic. She said City Administrator Chris Kukulski informed both Billings Clinic and YVAS leaders that methamphetamine was being burned by law enforcement.

Billings Clinic expressed concern after reviewing videos showing the extent of smoke in the building. Halverson explained, "Billings Clinic was very concerned when they saw the videos of how much s

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