Nearly a dozen animals killed in DHS house fire

UPDATE: Riverside County Animal services confirmed three cats and seven puppies died from smoke inhalation during the fire.

Nearly a dozen animals died in a house fire in Desert Hot Springs Saturday. The flames left one man and 11 dogs without a home.

CAL FIRE said the fire sparked around 2:30 Saturday afternoon at a single story home on the 65000 of Hacienda Avenue.

A total 7 dogs and 2 cats died inside the home.

Animal Control has impounded 11 dogs and taken them to the Coachella Valley Animal Campus.

The surviving animals are being assessed and treated for smoke inhalation.

Riverside County Animal Services called this a problem property telling New Channel 3 and CBS Local 2 its officers cited the homeowner numerous times for running an illegal kennel.

Fire crews were able to quickly put out the flames and contain the fire to the attic.

The cause of the fire remains under investigation.