Dog show fire kills boxers trapped in RV as people try saving them, Florida officials say

Boxers inside an RV parked at a dog show at the Florida State Fairgrounds were killed when it caught fire, according to fire officials.

Firefighters responded to the fairgrounds in Tampa at about 2:45 p.m. June 13 and found about half of the RV burning, Rob Herrin, spokesman for Hillsborough County Fire Rescue, told McClatchy News.

Bystanders tried to rescue the dogs but were “overcome” by smoke when they attempted to go into the RV, Herrin said.

The dogs’ owner told fire officials that there were five boxers inside the RV at the time, and they all died, Herrin said.

The exact number of dogs that died in the incident could not be immediately confirmed.

A spokesperson for the American Kennel Club, which registers and promotes events for purebred dogs, said the agency received information that two additional dogs died due to heat from the fire. Five of the dogs that died were show dogs and two were not, according to the organization.

“We are aware of the tragic incident that occurred in the parking lot at the Tampa Fairgrounds in which dogs perished, and our hearts are with those affected, both human and canine,” the American Kennel Club said in a statement.

Herrin said the cause of the fire has not been determined, but it is considered an accident.

Many people in the dog show community posted on social media that they were mourning in solidarity with the owners who lost their dogs.

“I’m in tears wishing this had never happened,” wrote Dan Buchwald.

“The boxer and dog show community feels their pain and cries for these wonderful people,” wrote Amy Bieri. “Love and prayers sent to all of you involved.”

The owners did not immediately respond to a request for comment.