ORLANDO, Fla. (AP) -- An early morning fire at the home of a Florida canine breeder killed 19 dogs early Thursday, according to fire rescue officials. Six other dogs were rescued.
Most of the dogs died from smoke inhalation, according to a tweet from Orange County Fire Rescue in Orlando.
"This was primarily a smoke event, causing significant smoke damage inside of the home," fire officials tweeted. "The dogs who survived are currently being cared for."
The cause of the fire was an air handler, and the blaze was contained to a single room of the house, fire officials said.
The home is co-owned by a dog breeder well-known in central Florida.
Update: #HouseFire on Bay Lake Rd: While crews were able to revive approx. 6 dogs, unfortunately 19 perished in the home. This was primarily a smoke event, causing significant smoke damage inside of the home. The dogs who survived are currently being cared for. pic.twitter.com/AkOnyCyjkD
— OCFire Rescue (@OCFireRescue) January 23, 2020
#HouseFire 3000 block of Bay Lake Rd: Units dispatched at 5:15 a.m., arriving o/s to heavy smoke. Fire contained to 1 room, caused by an air handler (pictured below).Owner is a reputable breeder. Multiple dogs were in the home at the time of the incident. pic.twitter.com/kbqSfBKQxR
— OCFire Rescue (@OCFireRescue) January 23, 2020