A fire early Saturday killed 13 greyhounds and destroyed a barn owned by dog breeders in Adams County.
Firefighters rescued three greyhounds – a mother and her two pups – from inside the barn before it was too unstable to enter, said Wendy Krajewski, spokeswoman for North Metro Fire Rescue.
“I’m amazed that any dogs were saved,” Krajewski said. “When they arrived, the barn was completely engulfed.”
Firefighters did save 74 greyhounds that were in crates just outside the barn, she said.
Fire investigators have not determined the cause of the blaze, but do not suspect foul play, she said.
A passer-by called the fire department at 2:26 a.m. and woke the owners of the greyhound kennel at 16201 Colorado 7.
Mountain View and Brighton fire departments were also called in to maintain water supply to the remote property.
Firefighters were able to carry many of the dogs to safety because they were in crates, Krajewski said.
Seven greyhound adults and six puppies were killed.
A car and cooling equipment that were inside the barn also were torched, Krajewski said.
Staff writer Kirk Mitchell can be reached at 303-820-1206 or kmitchell@denverpost.com.
