Seven dogs perish in North Las Vegas fire

A house fire killed seven dogs in North Las Vegas on Saturday, but a couple who were inside the house managed to escape without injury, Fire Chief Frank Taylor said.

The homeowner, whose name wasn't available in a preliminary report, had fallen asleep while puppies in a room apparently knocked over a candle that ignited the blaze, Taylor said.

Two dogs were saved, but damage to the single-story home at 4016 N. Decatur Blvd., near Alexander Drive, was estimated at $236,000.

After the candle was knocked over, the fire quickly spread and ignited some propane tanks.

"It was going pretty good and the wind was complicating things," Taylor said. "(The owner) tried to put it out himself with a garden hose, but it was too intense and it singed his hair."

At least 10 firetrucks and a heavy rescue vehicle responded after the fire was reported at 9:26 a.m. Firefighters spent 20 minutes dousing the blaze until it was out, Taylor said.

Contact reporter Keith Rogers
at krogers@reviewjournal.com or 702-383-0308.