2 dogs killed after brush fire hits dog rescue facility in Palmdale

PALMDALE, Calif. (KABC) -- Two dogs were killed and several others were injured after a grass fire spread to a dog rescue facility in Palmdale.

The half-acre brush fire broke out around 9:40 a.m. near West Avenue O-8 and 11th Street West. An outbuilding was also burned in the fire. Fire personnel said the blaze started along the 14 Freeway and quickly spread to the facility.

The owners tried desperately to rescue dozens of dogs. Authorities said three people suffered burns, and two had dog bites. The conditions of the people were unknown.

Sal Valdepena is a member of one of the animal rescue groups that houses dogs at the kennel. One of their dogs died in the fire.

"It was an accident, a tragic accident, and everyone here is devastated from the loss," Valdepena said.

Kennel owner Dave Shroeder says despite burning his hands, he managed to open cage after cage in his backyard, freeing dozen of dogs housed in his kennel.

A grief-stricken Schroeder said he wished he could have saved every dog.

Animal control officers were at the scene. Authorities were investigating the cause of the fire.

Officials earlier said five dogs had died, but Shroeder clarified that two dogs died.