16 dogs saved from burning west Phoenix house that also served as animal rescue

PHOENIX (3TV/CBS 5) -- More than a dozen dogs were rescued from a house fire around midnight on Tuesday. The Phoenix and Glendale Fire departments responded to the home near 37th Avenue and Bethany Home Road that also served as an animal rescue known as “Mangy Mutt Rescue.” According to firefighters, the flames were 30 feet high when they arrived. Video from the scene shows clutter around the house, which firefighters said made it difficult to put the fire out.

After making sure everyone was out of the house, fire crews began to bring the dogs outside before putting out the fire. All 16 dogs were rescued and placed into separate kennels. Mangy Mutt Rescue started 15 years ago and has rescued over 3,500 dogs. They are looking for volunteers to foster or adopt the dogs Tuesday or Wednesday.

Arizona’s Family spoke to the homeowner, Todd Born, who says he was plugging in lights in the backyard and cleaning up for bulk trash when he noticed something was wrong. “I just happened to look out the garage to the back and noticed there was a small amount of flame out here on the awning so something must have shorted,” he said. An investigation into the cause is underway.

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