Eleven pet dogs die in fire at private Staffordshire kennels

The pet dogs died in a fire at a private kennels off The Holloway, Swindon, Staffordshire Police said

Eleven pet dogs have died in a fire at a private kennels in Staffordshire.

Firefighters were called to the blaze on Saturday morning at the site off The Holloway, Swindon, near Dudley.

The blaze was put out but the dogs were found to be dead, Staffordshire Police said.

The dogs were all owned by BlueRose Dog Park. A spokesperson said staff at the site were "completely devastated" as they "desperately tried to get" to the dogs during the fire.

Despite the animals not being locked in, it looked "like they were overcome by fumes" and could not get outside, they said.

Four dogs that were already outside were rescued but staff were injured in the process, the spokesperson added.

A joint investigation was carried out by the fire service and police into the cause which was not thought to be suspicious.

"We understand that this is an upsetting incident which has caused concern in the community," a police spokesperson said.