A Dozen dogs die in farm fire in Heywood

[Dunc]

An electric heater has caused a blaze at a barn in Heywood killing four dogs and eight puppies.

Firefighters were called to Holly Holdings Farm off Manchester Road in Heywood at about 2.20am today and discovered the single-storey barn well alight.

They used three water jets and breathing gear to tackle the blaze.

The barn was used for breeding and 12 Alsatian dogs were found dead at the scene. No animals survived the blaze.

Fire crews remain at the scene dampening down.

Fighterfighters are now urging the public to take care when using electric heaters.

Watch Manager, Neil Fox, said: “They were breeding them in the barn and they were all young dogs so it was a real shame.

“They had a portable infrared heater keeping them warm and it looks like that was the cause.

“Electric heaters can be a fire hazard so never leave them unattended, stand them where they could be knocked over or sit too close to them.

“Make sure heaters are always guarded and never try to move a portable heater while it is alight or switched on.”

[Stormy]

[BingBlaze n Skyla]

:-( how horrible those poor dogs

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[Elyse]

Poor doggies, that's horrible!

At least, we can all take as a little comfort, that most deaths from fires are caused by smoke inhalation instead of the actual flames...

The owners should be held accountable. That was an incredibly stupid thing to do - barns usually have dry tinder/straw in them that can easily catch alight.