The van was transporting rescue dogs from Texas. 4 dogs survived the fire, with one of them recovering in an animal hospital from serious burns.
MADISON COUNTY, Illinois — Two Texas dog shelters are mourning the loss of seven dogs, after a transport van caught fire on an Illinois highway Friday night.
Illinois State Police said at around 11:30 p.m., troopers responded to Interstate 270 near Glen Carbon for a vehicle fire.
A van was found on the right shoulder fully engulfed in flames. The local fire department put the fire out.
ISP said the driver of the van was able to remove some of the kennels, but tragically seven dogs died in the fire. The driver was not physically hurt.
The seven dogs that lost their lives were from Cypress Lucky Mutt Rescue, a nonprofit shelter out of Houston, Texas.
In a social media post Saturday, the nonprofit said the van was going towards New York, with several stops planned to deliver the dogs to their new homes.
“We are devastated by this loss. Words cannot express the grief we feel, nor the gratitude we have for our drivers—true heroes in this unimaginable moment—and for the many people who stepped in to help at the scene.”
The shelter said it doesn’t know the exact cause of the fire, but that the fire was fast and intense. “We take a small amount of comfort in hoping the ones that did not survive passed quickly and without prolonged suffering,” the rescue shelter said.
Four dogs survived the fire. The nonprofit said three of them went on to their adopted families.
The last dog, an Eskidoodle named Guapo, was from Belle’s Buds Rescue in the Greater Houston, Texas area. The nonprofit said he is now hospitalized with severe burns.
“By some miracle, Guapo made it out alive. A Good Samaritan saw him escape the flames and rushed him to Hawthorne Animal Hospital, where their incredible team acted quickly to save him,” the shelter said in a social media post. “Our hearts are broken for the lives lost — beloved pups who were on their way to forever homes. Their adopters are grieving. Their fosters are devastated. The transport team is shattered. Everyone involved poured love and safety into these dogs. This tragedy has shaken us all to the core.”
How you can help
Belle’s Buds Rescue is accepting monetary donations to help with Guapo’s veterinarian bills.
On its social media page, Cypress Lucky Mutt Rescue thanked the community for reaching out to offer condolences, and said “many of you have generously asked about donating to help with the financial loss. While we are deeply touched by your willingness to support us, right now, our focus is on grieving and honoring the lives of the sweet pups we lost. We will share information soon for those who wish to contribute. For now, please continue to keep our team, fosters, adopters, and especially the pups in your thoughts and prayers.”
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