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Woman, multiple dogs die after north Phoenix house fire Saturday evening

Phoenix fire officials say that an estimated 37 dogs lived at the house. Crews were unfortunately only able to save 9 dogs.

PHOENIX — An 86-year-old woman along with multiple dogs died after a house fire in north Phoenix on Saturday evening. Now, the Arizona Humane Society is searching for homes for the surviving animals.

The Phoenix Fire Department responded to the house in the area of 39th Avenue and Bell Road around 12:50 p.m on Oct. 23.

Fire crews rescued and treated the woman and transported her to the hospital in critical condition, Phoenix fire said.

Phoenix police later confirmed that the woman died at the hospital.

Firefighters also say they found an estimated 37 dogs that lived in the house. A total of 9 dogs were saved and later placed in the care of the Arizona Humane Society.

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According to a release from the Humane Society, one of those dogs had to be humanely put to sleep due to smoke inhalation and respiratory distress. Two of the dogs are still receiving treatment.

The surviving dogs range in age from 11 weeks to 12 years old and are a mix of male and female Toy Poodles, the Humane Society said. They also shared the following photos:

Right now it's not clear if the dogs are ready to be re-homed, but the Humane Society says that they'll provide updates as they become available.

One of the woman's neighbors Ed Persival says he was out in his front yard when he noticed something was wrong.

“Suddenly I saw black smoke coming from the house,” he said. “The first thing I did, I just shot out and started yanking my garden house, trying to do what I can.”

Persival says other neighbors also rushed to try and help.

“Because I know there was an elderly lady there and there were several puppies that she breeds and makes an income of,” he added.

Several neighbors told 12News the 86-year-old woman bred Toy Poodles for years.

In July, she was charged with injurious animal hoarding.

Outside of the home Friday night, 12News observed several dog kennels full of animal feces.

“She’s not doing well, it sucks,” Persival said.

No firefighters were injured and the cause of the fire is under investigation.

This is a developing story. Stay tuned to 12News for further updates.

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