House fire kills 30 cats and 5 dogs

MIAMI, May 28 (UPI) -- More than 30 cats and 5 dogs were killed in a house fire in a southern Florida home that had been without electricity since Hurricane Katrina.

The Miami-Dade Fire Department said the fire was caused by a candle, The Miami Herald reported Monday.

Lt. Eddy Ballester said they managed to save 12 cats and two dogs with oxygen and animal CPR. The 57-year-old woman who owns the house was taken the hospital to be treated for smoke inhalation.

Dr. Sara Pizano said Miami-Dade animals services was holding the surviving pets until the woman is released from the hospital.

"They're technically still her pets," Pizano said.

The Red Cross also was helping relocate the woman.