27 dogs rescued from burning shop; owner arrested

By Ana Ley

Published Saturday, Feb. 1, 2014 | 12:17 p.m.

Updated Monday, Feb. 3, 2014 | 11:52 a.m.

A pet store owner was arrested this week after she allegedly set fire to her shop, endangering more than two dozen dogs inside, authorities say.

Clark County spokesman John Steinbeck said flames erupted shortly before 1 a.m. Monday at the Prince and Princess Puppy Boutique in the 6800 block of South Rainbow Boulevard. The store’s sprinkler system had squelched much of the blaze by the time a crew with the county’s fire department arrived to rescue 27 dogs inside.

Fire investigators on Wednesday arrested shop owner Gloria Lee, 35, on two counts each of burglary and first-degree arson. She remains at the Clark County Detention Center on $62,000 bail.

Steinbeck declined to comment on how the fire was started, citing the ongoing investigation.

Clark County Animal Control officials have picked up the rescued animals.

The fire caused an estimated $100,000 damage to the building. Steinbeck said no people were injured, and the dogs appeared unharmed.

“Fortunately, the quick response and actions taken by our firefighters, the activation of three sprinkler heads and the unusual design of the kennels prevented this from being very tragic,” Steinbeck said. “The potential was there for all of these dogs to have died in the fire.”