More than 500 animals, mostly small birds, were killed in a fire that started at a Dallas retail complex on Friday morning, according to authorities.
According to a statement from Dallas Fire-Rescue spokesperson Jason Evans, smoke inhalation killed the 579 animals in the pet store located in Plaza Latina in Northwest Dallas.
The animals were never exposed to the fire’s flames. According to Evans, two dogs, two cats, hamsters, and chickens also perished. It took up to 45 firemen and almost two hours to put out the two-alarm fire at 11 a.m.
“All of the animals in the shop unfortunately died from smoke inhalation, even though DFR personnel searched and attempted rescue,” Evans stated.
The fire did not damage anyone although there was significant damage to the big, one-story shopping center’s construction, including a partially fallen roof.
According to its Facebook page, the retail complex is home to several small companies and is “a place where people can go to eat, and buy all sorts of Latin goods and services.” Prayers for the families who work there were requested in a Spanish-language post on the page.
