Maryland State Prison K-9 Dies in Vehicle Fire

A K-9 assigned to the Cumberland state correctional complex died in a vehicle fire that occurred on westbound Interstate 68 in the area of 15 Mile Creek at about 1:45 p.m. Wednesday, reports the Cumberland Times-News .

The SUV was headed to the prison complex in Cresaptown with two K-9s when it caught fire, according to Maryland Department of Public Safety and Correctional Service spokesman Mark Vernarelli.

"The two K-9 officers pulled over as soon as they realized the vehicle was on fire. They managed to get one dog out of the vehicle, but could not save the other," Vernarelli said.

The dog that died had recently graduated from training.