30 puppies die in fire at strip mall

MIAMI (WSVN) -- Thirty puppies were killed in a massive fire that broke out inside a strip mall Wednesday night.

The blaze broke out at about 10:30 p.m. on Northwest Seventh Street and 32nd Avenue. Firefighters said the 2-alarm fire spread to the roof of the strip mall, affecting several businesses, including a pet store called Beverly Hills Puppies.

A 7News viewer sent in video of police officers and firefighters responding to the blaze. By the time crews discovered the puppies, it was too late. "As we were able to bring this fire under control, we started to do our search to make sure nobody was inside," said Miami Fire Rescue Lieutenant Ignatius Carroll. "We noticed that a business here sells puppies, and unfortunately we had numerous puppies inside that did not make it."

The owner said 30 English and French bulldogs died of smoke inhalation. "We've been destroyed because of the fire. The puppies passed away, and second of all, there is no insurance to cover it," said Beverly Hills Puppies owner Martin Leon.

The dogs are valued at $2,000 each.

Crews, however, were able to rescue a few puppies from the store. "We did pull out several cages that had about seven or eight puppies," said Carroll.

The owner said, while this fire is financially devastating, the dogs mean much more to him than the money.

The cause of the fire remains under investigation.

(Copyright 2013 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)