UPDATE: 13 dogs killed in Ocean Isle Beach kennel fire

OCEAN ISLE BEACH, NC (WWAY) — A dozen animals housed at an Ocean Isle Beach kennel were killed in a fire there Sunday, according officials.

Brunswick County Fire Marshal Scott Garner said crews responded to Diamond-A-Kennels, 60 Green Bay Road NW, at 8:45 p.m. Sunday. When firefighters arrived on the scene, a block building where approximately 50 dogs were housed had heavy smoke showing, Garner said. The fire was contained to one room, he said.

Garner said 13 dogs died and 18 dogs survived the incident. He said there was another call in the area for an unrelated brush fire.

“This is my life,” the 911 caller said. “Please get somebody to my building. I’ve got about 50 dogs in there. I’ve got to get there.”

Garner said crews responded to this 911 call about Diamond-A-Kennels. Owners Debra and Steve Somersett have been notifying the pet owners ever since.

Vacationer Carol Shearin got the call about her two dogs she brings here every year.

“She said and we’ve lost your dogs and I just burst into tears,” Shearin said.

Shearin said she does not blame the Somersetts, because the investigation showed it was caused by a malfunctioning air conditioning unit.

“Her husband tried to go in and save the dogs, but he couldn’t get in,” Shearin said.

Arrest warrants show Steven Somersett tried to go in, but deputies arrested him, because they say he was resisting an officer while the officer was securing the fire scene.

Brunswick County Sheriff’s Office Spokeswoman Emily Flax said while the fire investigation team is there, no one can go into the building.

“Number one for safety reasons and number two so that nothing is compromised from an investigation standpoint,” Flax said.

The Somersetts did not want to go on camera, but they said they’ve been running this facility for almost 18 years and they also lost a dog in that fire. While they start picking up the pieces, some pet owners are hugging their pups a little tighter and some are mourning the losses of family members.

“You know I am going to miss them every day,” Shearin said. “They just loved us so much.”

The Somersetts said they are keeping the surviving dogs in a cool and safe place while they continue to contact the owners. They said they do plan to re-open, but they do not know when that will be.

The facility boards both dogs and cats, but no cats were harmed.