Garage shows "pack rat" conditions (KTLA-TV)
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RIVERSIDE -- More than two dozen dogs were killed when fire broke out at a home in Riverside which, according to firefighters, was under extreme "pack rat conditions."
The home in the 1800 block of Missouri Street first caught fire just after 6:00 p.m. Tuesday. Fire crews were called back to the home around 4 a.m. Wednesday after the fire rekindled.
During the first blaze, flames consumed the kitchen and a back porch area where a kennel had been set up.
Fourteen Lhasa Apsos died of possible smoke inhalation, officials said. Necropsies were planned to determine the exact cause of death.
The dogs were said to have been stacked on top of one another in several cages.
John Welsh of Riverside County Animal Control said after the second fire, the remains of 11 more dogs were discovered.
Firefighters said they had access problems in every room due to the "extreme clutter" conditons inside the house.
"All but the living room is full, ceiling-to-floor, wall-to-wall, with collected items," Riverside Fire Capt. Scott Wilson told KTLA.
The homeowner was not at the residence during either fire. The cause of the first fire is believed to be electrical and accidental, Wilson said. The second fire was started by smoldering debris.
"Hidden fires are everywhere due to the fact that there's debris everywhere," Wilson said.
Animal control officials say it appears the homeowner not only neglected her home, but also the animals.
"It doesn't appear that the dogs have been walked much. One of our officers explained to me that the paws, the fur is so overgrown it doesn't appear they had much exercise," Welsh said.
Some $90,000 in damage was reported in the blaze.
Fire crews had to remove debris from the home to prevent the fire from flaring up once again.
The home in the 1800 block of Missouri Street first caught fire just after 6:00 p.m. Tuesday. Fire crews were called back to the home around 4 a.m. Wednesday after the fire rekindled.
During the first blaze, flames consumed the kitchen and a back porch area where a kennel had been set up.
Fourteen Lhasa Apsos died of possible smoke inhalation, officials said. Necropsies were planned to determine the exact cause of death.
The dogs were said to have been stacked on top of one another in several cages.
John Welsh of Riverside County Animal Control said after the second fire, the remains of 11 more dogs were discovered.
Firefighters said they had access problems in every room due to the "extreme clutter" conditons inside the house.
"All but the living room is full, ceiling-to-floor, wall-to-wall, with collected items," Riverside Fire Capt. Scott Wilson told KTLA.
The homeowner was not at the residence during either fire. The cause of the first fire is believed to be electrical and accidental, Wilson said. The second fire was started by smoldering debris.
"Hidden fires are everywhere due to the fact that there's debris everywhere," Wilson said.
Animal control officials say it appears the homeowner not only neglected her home, but also the animals.
"It doesn't appear that the dogs have been walked much. One of our officers explained to me that the paws, the fur is so overgrown it doesn't appear they had much exercise," Welsh said.
Some $90,000 in damage was reported in the blaze.
Fire crews had to remove debris from the home to prevent the fire from flaring up once again.
