CONIFER, Colo. -- Nine dogs died in an overnight fire at a pet kennel in rural Jefferson County.

The fire was reported around midnight at 13906 Kuehster Road, according to Inter-Canyon Fire spokeswoman Daniel Hatlestad.

"Arriving firefighters found the structure engulfed in flames and attempted to gain access to the pets living in the facility," said Hatlestad. "The firefighters were driven back by the intense heat and flames."

That is the address of Pampered Pets & Doggie Dude Ranch, southeast of Conifer. Hatlestad said none of the animals were able to escape the flames.

Fire units from Elk Creek Fire also helped battle the blaze in the kennel.

Since there are no fire hydrants in the rural area, water to fight the fire had to be trucked in.

The blaze was brought under control by 1:30 a.m. and firefighters continued to overhaul the fire and extinguish hot spots until 4 a.m.

"We are saddened by the loss of so many pets. Our firefighters attempted to gain entry into the facility to save the pets but the intensity of the fire made it impossible," said Dave MacBean, chief of Inter-Canyon Fire/Rescue.

Investigators point to an electric heater in the southwest corner of the kennel as a likely cause of the fire.

"There was also a wood stove in that corner," MacBean said, "But we don't believe that stove was lit."

The kennel owner lives in a home next door and said she became aware of the fire when she woke up to go to the bathroom and saw the flames out her window.

The state Department of Agriculture's Bureau of Animal Protection regulates pet care facilities.

But department spokeswoman Christi Lightcap told 7NEWS that the state's oversight is limited to sanitation, ventilation, lighting, heating and cooling.

Lightcap said the kennel passed its last inspection.

When asked about fire safety regulattions, MacBean said, "There is not a law mandating sprinklers."

The fire chief said with new property they can mandate that a cistern be installed, but he said the kennel was in an old house that was converted into a kennel.

"The dogs had free reign in the building," MacBean said.

While fire may be the last thing on an owners mind when they drop their pet off at a kennel, this fire raises questions about what can happen and about the need to ask questions.

"I would look for someone that was accredited by us, which means they have a fire evacuation plan and fire extinguishers," said Joan Saunders, CEO of Pet Care Services Association based in Colorado Springs.

Saunders said that group is the only one in the country that issues accreditation for pet care facilities.

She said pet owners would be wise to tour a facility before they leave their pets.

Chief MacBean echoed those thoughts.

"Be real direct about the questions asked," MacBean said. "What do they do about fire safety to insure that the building is safe. Do they have people available at the facility if something happens?"

MacBean said the owner did not have insurance.

A family member told 7NEWS that the owner was distraught over the loss of the nine dogs.

The owner, who is pregnant, now has to move from her own home next door because the blaze burned down the electrical wires feeding power into her house.

"It's just tragic," the family member said.

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