Woman, 31 dogs die in fire at home with ‘hoard-like conditions,’ officials say

PHOENIX (KTVK/KPHO/Gray News) – An 86-year-old woman and 31 dogs were killed in a Phoenix house fire Saturday afternoon, officials said.

The Phoenix Fire Department responded to the home around 12:45 p.m., when they rescued the woman and took her to the hospital. She later died from her injuries.

Phoenix police said an estimated 37 dogs were found in the home, many of them locked inside metal cages.

Firefighters were able to save six dogs and take them to the Arizona Humane Society, but 31 of the dogs didn’t make it.

AHS said two of the surviving six dogs have a “guarded prognosis.” They described the situation as seemingly being “hoard-like conditions,” with many of the dogs being underweight and having ticks, as well as matted, urine-soaked fur.

Fire officials are still investigating to find out what caused the fire.