AT LEAST a dozen dogs have died and a woman has suffered severe burns as she battled to save them from a house fire in Queensland.
The fire broke out about 3am this morning and quickly took hold in the low-set timber and brick home at Bellmere near Caboolture, north of Brisbane.
The Department of Community Safety said about 20 dogs were housed on the premises and the RSPCA later said at least 12 had perished. “A further 14 dogs and three puppies have been transported to RSPCA Queensland’s Fairfield shelter for emergency housing,” the RSPCA said. “The dogs included Cocker Spaniels, Cavalier King Charles Spaniels and Boxers.”
RSPCA Queensland spokesman Michael Beatty said it seemed most of the dogs had been living inside the Ellwood Drive property and they appeared to be in good condition. They have been seized on animal welfare grounds. Mr Beatty said the RSPCA was waiting to speak to the woman or her family.
Police had reported that the woman fled the house to alert emergency services before returning to try to rescue the dogs, suffering second-degree burns to her upper body, the RSPCA said. Meanwhile, a house fire at Goodna, near Ipswich, just before midnight has left a woman with burns to her airways. Fire investigators will also look into the cause of that fire, which caused extensive damage to the home.
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