Dog Killed In Bungalow Fire In Venice; Arson Suspected

VENICE, CA — A family dog died in a fire early Wednesday at a bungalow in Venice that authorities are investigating as arson.

The blaze was reported about 3:55 a.m. Wednesday in the alley at 131 E. Club House Avenue, near Pacific Avenue and a few blocks from the boardwalk and beach, Margaret Stewart of the Los Angeles Fire Department said.

The homeowner, a doctor, was not home at the time of the fire, according to the Venice Current. The family dog, a husky mix named Togo, died.

"My neighbor picked up a scooter and started ramming into the walls. He was doing all he could to break in and save the woman who lives there and her dog," a neighbor told The Current. "The dog kept yelping — and then it stopped."

Investigators told neighbors it appeared that someone threw a burning object over the fence. Neighbors have been complaining about a growing encampment near Westminster Park and Main Street.

Firefighters initially had reports that someone was inside the home, where flames were contained to the first floor, but after searching they found no one inside, Stewart said.

It took 26 firefighters about 18 minutes to knock down the flames, Stewart said. No injuries were reported.

The home was destroyed, ABC7 reports.

Los Angeles Department of Water and Power was notified of two power poles affected in the fire. It’s unclear if any power outages were caused.

No further details were provided. The cause of the fire was under investigation.

Patch reached out to Los Angeles City Councilmember Mike Bonin for comment. Bonin has proposed a series of homeless shelters and "safe camping" alternatives across the Westside.

A GoFundMe fundraiser was created by Midnight Runners LA to support the neighbor whose dog was killed in the house fire.

GoFundMe is a Patch promotional sponsor.

Editor's Note: This story was updated at 7:20 a.m Thursday to include more information.

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