Fire at House Traps and Kills 24 Dogs, 1 Cat
A fire broke out in a single-family house Monday and killed two dozen dogs, including three puppies, and a cat trapped inside, fire officials said.
The 4:31 p.m. blaze in the 13100 block of Bradley Avenue was caused by a heating lamp, said Jim Wells, spokesman for the Los Angeles Fire Department. It took 10 firefighters about 45 minutes to extinguish the blaze, which caused $45,000 in damage, he said.
“The fire was confined to one room but there was heavy smoke everywhere, all the way down to the floor,” Wells said.
No people were hurt. Because there were a number of animals inside the home and additional dogs outside--who were unhurt--officials speculated that the owners were breeding the animals.
The owners of the house, who have not been identified, were not home when the flames erupted. Authorities spoke with the owners later and were told they would dispose of the carcasses, according to an animal control officer.
A city ordinance allows only three dogs at one address. But late Monday, charges were not being considered, the animal control officer said.
Start your day right
Sign up for Essential California for news, features and recommendations from the L.A. Times and beyond in your inbox six days a week.
You may occasionally receive promotional content from the Los Angeles Times.
