Puppies saved from fire; store owner arrested

LAS VEGAS — Fire officials say a Las Vegas pet store owner is accused of setting her business ablaze, but all 28 puppies inside were rescued.

Clark County Fire Department spokesman John Steinbeck says 35-year-old Gloria Lee was booked into the county jail on suspicion of first-degree arson after the fire early Monday morning at the Prince and Princess Puppy Boutique.

Steinbeck says in a statement issued early Saturday that the 28 puppies could have died if the sprinkler system hadn’t activated and firefighters hadn’t quickly extinguished the flames.

He says the fire caused $100,000 in damage to the building, but the motive was not immediately clear.

No people were injured.

County animal control officers took possession of the dogs, and they’re currently being housed at a local animal shelter.