10 Dogs Die In Smoky Florida Track Kennel Fire
POSTED: 8:05 am EDT June 2, 2005
BONITA SPRINGS, Fla. -- Ten of more than 60 greyhounds at the Naples-Fort Myers Greyhound Track died Wednesday after their kennel filled with smoke from a fire in an air conditioning unit.
Wayne Beckman, director of security for the track, said the fire burned unnoticed after a guard checked the wrong kennel twice after an alarm went off in the early morning hours. Owners coming in just before 5 a.m. to prepare their dogs for the day's races discovered the animals in the smoke-filled kennel.
"It was human error. It was unfortunate," Beckman said.
The track was closed Wednesday as emergency workers and volunteers labored for hours in pouring rain to resuscitate the dogs, providing oxygen and intravenous fluids. Fifty-six dogs were transported to area animal hospitals.
Arlene Wootten, who discovered the smoke in her dogs' kennel, said the greyhounds that survived won't race again and will be put up for adoption.
A buildup of dust and dander in the kennel's air conditioning unit caused the blaze, said Bonita Springs Fire Control and Rescue spokeswoman Debbi Redfield.
The fire burned itself out but the air conditioning system continued blowing smoke into the kennel, Redfield said.
Beckman said the guard who overlooked the kennel will be fired.
Nearly 1,000 dogs live in the track's 12 kennels. Races were canceled until Friday afternoon.
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