PHOENIX — A woman in her 80s has died after a house fire Saturday afternoon near 43rd Avenue and Bell Road.
Her son, Evan Pauley, identified her as 86-year-old Marilyn Pauley.
Officials say firefighters found over 20 dogs in metal cages inside the house. Phoenix Fire officials tell ABC15, 15 toy poodles died in the fire.
Seven dogs were rescued and given to the Arizona Humane Society for treatment. AHS says they're working to treat the dogs rescued but one of them has since died.
The surviving dogs suffer from various levels of smoke inhalation, ticks, and malnourishment, according to AHS.
No firefighters were injured.
It is unknown what caused the fire.
We spoke to a neighbor who says he rushed over to his water hose as soon as he saw the flames.
“The only thing I could do was try to fight the fire that was out coming on the porch,” said Eddrow Percival.
Percival says it all happened so fast, but before he knew it there was fire and smoke everywhere.
“I couldn’t do much,” he added.
When firefighters came, he let them know there were dogs and his neighbor in the house.
“We tried but with everything that was going on and the severity of it…you know….” said Percival, while shaking his head.
“One, unfortunately, passed away while in our trauma hospital. And there are six right now in a guarded prognosis,” said Kelsey Dickerson with the Arizona Humane Society.
“They were found matted, tick-infested, as well as a little underweight, which suggests they were living in some hoard-like conditions. So, in addition to being treated for smoke inhalation, they’re also being tested for Valley Fever, tick fever and things of that nature,” she added.
Pauley though, tells ABC15 that’s not true saying, “My mother died fighting to save these animals who were not kept in crates. They were kept in runs that my mother, my father, and I built together."
He says neighbors heard his mother begging firefighters to grab the dogs.
"The neighbors said she kept repeating, ’Leave me save the dogs. Leave me save the dogs.’ This is not the action of a person who was just hoarding pets. My mother was a licensed Maricopa County Kennel for 24 years,” said Pauley.
Pauley also says his mother had 3rd-degree burns on 48% of her body (mostly upper body), and a medical professional told him they were likely because she went toward the flames.
“She died trying to save the dogs,” Pauley told ABC15.
While the Arizona Humane Society says some of the dogs were underweight, Pauley says that can’t be.
“These were kennel animals that were used to produce quality offspring for show and to provide very loving pets for many, many people over a 55-year career,” he added.
Pauley says he also had two dogs who died in the garage and says he is devastated by the loss of his mom.
“I’m going to miss her. She was one of the best persons I will ever know,” he said.
The ages of the rescued dogs ranged from 11 weeks to 12 years old.
Phoenix Police tell ABC15 there is no indication of foul play at this time.
Still no word on what caused the fire.
