Fire sweeps through rescue group's kennel in New York, killing 40 dogs

CANTON, New York: A fire swept through a rescue organization's kennels in northern New York this week, killing more than 40 dogs.

Fire officials said the fire at the No Dogs Left Behind building at the Maple Ridge Kennels in Canton was reported an hour after midnight by a person who saw the flames while passing by the property. The Canton Fire Department said in a Facebook post that the flames overran the structure and killed the animals before firefighters could save them.

No Dogs Left Behind said its members were heartbroken.

"Each dog was a member of our family," the group said in a social media post quoted by The Associated Press. "Tragically, they are victims once again. We have no words to express our grief."

The cause of the fire was not immediately clear and was under investigation by St. Lawrence County officials. Authorities said no firefighters or other people were injured.

The house-like building included kennels inside and a play area outside. No Dogs Left Behind has a video on its website showing dogs running around grassy fields with paths on the large property.