By LESLIE EIKLEBERRY Salina Post

NEW CAMBRIA - A space heater is believed to be the cause of a Sunday morning fire that destroyed a camper and killed three dogs in New Cambria.

The fire was first reported to authorities at 7:05 a.m. Sunday, Saline County Sheriff Roger Soldan said this morning.

The fifth-wheel camper belonging to Charles Rhodes, 68, was parked at his residence in the 200 block of E. Second Street. Rhodes' son, Toby, had been living in the camper with three dogs: a pitbull, a German shepherd mix and a mixed breed puppy, Soldan said. All three dogs died in the blaze.

The camper and a Cub Cadet mower and tiller that were next to the camper were all destroyed, resulting in a $13,000 loss for Charles Rhodes. 

In addition to the three dogs, Toby Rhodes lost approximately $1,000 worth of items in the fire. 

Soldan said that a space heater in the camper is believed to have caused the blaze. 

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/1/1675101247591.jpeg" alt="Firefighters work to extinguish a camper fire in New Cambria that killed three dogs. Photo courtesy Saline County Sheriff's Office" />
 <figcaption>Firefighters work to extinguish a camper fire in New Cambria that killed three dogs. Photo courtesy Saline County Sheriff's Office</figcaption>
 </figure>By LESLIE EIKLEBERRY Salina PostNEW CAMBRIA - A space heater is believed to be the cause of a Sunday morning fire that destroyed a camper and killed three dogs in New Cambria.The fire was first reported to authorities at 7:05 a.m. Sunday, Saline County Sheriff Roger Soldan said this morning.The fifth-wheel camper belonging to Charles Rhodes, 68, was parked at his residence in the 200 block of E. Second Street. Rhodes' son, Toby, had been living in the camper with three dogs: a pitbull, a German shepherd mix and a mixed breed puppy, Soldan said. All three dogs died in the blaze.The camper and a Cub Cadet mower and tiller that were next to the camper were all destroyed, resulting in a $13,000 loss for Charles Rhodes. In addition to the three dogs, Toby Rhodes lost approximately $1,000 worth of items in the fire. Soldan said that a space heater in the camper is believed to have caused the blaze.

Blaze kills 3 dogs, destroys fifth-wheel camper in New Cambria