Authorities in southwest Michigan said 21 dogs, including 19 puppies, died in a fire early Sunday.

Firefighters responded to a fire reported at 4:50 a.m. at an outbuilding in the 50200 block of M-43, in Arlington Township, about 4 miles east of the city of Bangor in Van Buren County, according to a social media post by South Haven Area Emergency Services.

The structure was fully engulfed in flames when first responders arrived on the scene, authorities said.

South Haven Area Emergency Services, which assisted, said investigators believe the blaze was caused by a heat lamp that was left near straw in the outbuilding.

The fire killed two adult dogs and litters of 19 days-old mastiff puppies, officials said. Bangor Fire Chief Derek Babcock told WWMT-TV in Kalamazoo the outbuilding was bei

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