LOWELL, Mass. (AP) – About 60 puppies destined to be delivered to pet stores across the Northeast died on Monday when the truck hauling them caught fire in Lowell.

The driver of the truck first noticed smoke coming from his trailer just before 5 p.m. as he was traveling from Interstate 495 to Route 3, according to state police.

The driver, identified as Joseph Price, 40, of Joplin, Mo., pulled into the breakdown lane and discovered a fire burning inside the trailer. The fire, which quickly engulfed the trailer, was put out by the Lowell Fire Department.

The trailer was carrying approximately 60 puppies of a variety of breeds all between the ages of 8 and 12 weeks, state police said. All died at the scene.

Neither Price, nor a passenger, William Iriarte, 50, of Nesho, Mo., was injured.

A preliminary investigation indicated that a malfunctioning fan in the rear of the trailer may have started the fire, police said. No charges have been filed.

The truck was owned by the Hunte Corp. of Goodman, Mo., a major puppy supplier to pet stores.

“The puppies were all beautiful, healthy purebreds that were on their way to quality retailers in the northeast and eventually to loving New England families,” the company said in a statement sent to WLVI-TV in Boston.

The company also said it has a near-perfect safety record.