Dog and nine puppies perish in local shed fire

Trying to do the right thing by keeping nine recently born Blue Tick Hound puppies warm in a shed with a heat lamp and straw turned tragic Sunday during a fire that may have been caused by the warming setup.

Du Quoin firemen were called to the 807 North Howard home of Matt Fred to find the 18-by-30 foot shed engulfed in flames.

The dog and puppies perished in the fire.

Du Quoin firemen were called at approximately 12:17 p.m. on Sunday. The home is just north of the intersection of Stacy Street and North Howard Street.

Du Quoin required no mutual aid assistance. No firefighters were injured as a result of the fire are the ice all around.