An 86-year-old woman and dozens of her pet dogs were killed after her Phoenix, Arizona, home caught fire, local news reported.
The Phoenix Fire Department responded to a call about the flames engulfing the small bungalow, located near 39th Avenue and Bell Road in the city’s north end, at approximately 12.50pm.
Fire officials were able to retrieve the woman from inside the burning home and get her to a hospital where they initially reported that she was in extremely critical condition, AZFamily reported on Saturday.
The woman later succumbed to her injuries and died that same day.
While inside the burning home, firefighters also discovered that there were an additional 37 dogs cowering indoors. According to Phoenix police, most of the animals were locked inside metal cages.
Fire officials were able to rescue nine of the dogs and safely deliver them to the Arizona Humane Society, but the remaining 28 dogs died before they could get to them.
Officials are still investigating the cause of the house fire.
The Independent reached out to the Phoenix Fire Department for comment on the case but did not hear back immediately.
In an interview with one of the woman’s neighbour’s, News 12 reported that the 86-year-old had allegedly been charged with injurious animal hoarding in recent years.
According to her neighbour, Ed Persival, it was well known that she’d been breeding Toy Poodles for several years and many of the people in the neighbourhood were aware that inside were a number of dogs and puppies.
When neighbours such as Mr Persival realised that the house was on fire, they all jumped to assist in whatever way they could, he told News 12.
“Suddenly I saw black smoke coming from the house. The first thing I did, I just shot out and started yanking my garden house, trying to do what I can,” said Mr Persival, adding that one of his fellow neighbours also hurried to assist in the emergency. “Because I know there was an elderly lady there and there were several puppies that she breeds and makes an income of.”
The news outlet reported that on Friday night, the evening before the house caught on fire, there were a number of empty kennels with animal waste piled up outside the home.
