SALINE COUNTY – Fire officials say a water bowl heater is responsible for a fire in a pole barn in the 3400 Block of Gypsum Valley Road.

Seven Border collie puppies were killed in the fire on Friday afternoon southeast of Salina, according to Saline County Sheriff’s Captain Roger Soldan.

The water bowl heater was located in a stall where the puppies were housed.

Three hundred bales of hay, 11 saddles and tack were destroyed. A cargo trailer parked next to the 45-foot by 50-foot pole barn was also damaged.

The owner of the property Rosetta Wiles was not at home when the fire was reported

No exact damage estimate was available.

It is expected to be several thousands of dollars, according to Soldan.