Fire kills two dogs and injures others in tragic grass fire

By all accounts, this was a tragedy. Just before 10 this morning a grass fire along the 14 freeway spread into an adjacent dog kennel. Two dogs were killed. Several suffered burns. At least two people who who raced toward the flames to save dogs had bites and burns on their hands.

Dave Schroeder, owner of Oasis Rescue Inc., was stunned. Glad that the fire didn't destroy his home, but devastated he watched two of the dogs boarded at his kennel die. Oasis Rescue is a place where rescuers bring dogs for boarding. They, they, may be sent to other parts of the country for adoption.

Sal Valdepeña brought a large 3-year-old Cane Corse (an Italian Mastiff) to the kennel just Tuesday. 24 hours later he gets a call about the fire and that dogs had died and says, "... when I got here I found out it was one of my dogs. It's the worst (thing to deal with) because you get them out of a dire situation to have a new amazing life and to die like this is not what we wanted."

A couple of those who jumped in to help the frightened dogs were injured like Tony Morrison who had bites on his hands from the frightened dogs he saved. He was working in the area, saw the flames and says he was able to save 10 dogs. He calls the experience very intense. "It's like babies," he says, "...you know, you're trying to save children. It's not like they can save themselves."

If you want to help we're told things that are needed are everything from pet food to water bowls, plastic pools, trash bags, beds, blankets, dog houses and cleaning supplies. A donation dropoff is located at 40141 12th Street West in Palmdale.

Financial donations are being handled by Oasis Pets, Secondhand Animals and Ruff Patches and Pets R Us. Rescue Oasis can be reached at themoxeygirl@hotmail.com, Ruff Patches at info@ruffpatches.org

Earlier:

Several people suffered minor injuries Wednesday and two canines died when a grass fire broke out near the Antelope Valley (14) Freeway and spread to an outbuilding at a dog rescue facility in Palmdale, authorities said.

Firefighters were sent to the area of West Avenue O-8 and 11th Street West at 9:40 a.m., said county fire Inspector Joey Marron. The grass fire scorched less than two acres and was brought under control in about 50 minutes, he said.

Three people suffered burns and two others suffered dog bites, said county fire Inspector Gustavo Medina. Five dogs died and some others were injured. Animal control personnel were notified.

The fire began for unknown reasons near the northbound 14, and the slow lane was closed as a precaution during the firefighting effort.

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