A fire tore through an animal shelter in Beaumont, Texas, killing 67 dogs and leaving scores more homeless.

The fire gutted the Humane Society of South, east Texas, home to 200 animals, on Tuesday night.

Firefighters said the blaze is thought to have been caused by a faulty dryer inside the building.

Beaumont Fire Department Captain Brad Penisson said: "Firefighters began bring animals out of the shelter as soon as possible. Shelter employees and volunteers on scene moved the live animals to a nearby building to treat them. Several animals perished due to smoke conditions in the rooms near the fire origin."

In a statement posted to Facebook, the Humane Society said confirmed that 67 dogs had died in the fire.

A message posted later thanked the community for their support, adding: "Today has been terrible for all of our staff and volunteers but the sheer amount of love and generosity we have seen from all of you has helped make it bearable."

The Humane Society said that any donations would go automatically towards the care of the remaining animals.