Hundreds of animals were killed Friday when a fire broke out at a Dallas shopping center.
All 579 animals, mostly small birds, at a pet store at the Plaza Latina shopping center died after inhaling smoke, Dallas Fire Department spokesman Jason Evans said in a statement.
DOG MISSING IN VIRGINIA CAPTURED AFTER 6 MONTHS OF RACING: “HOPE ALMOST LOST”
Firefighters spray water on the Plaza Latina shopping center in Dallas, Texas, on Friday. (KDFW)
The Dallas Fire Department said that when firefighters arrived, heavy smoke and flames were rising from the building, FOX Dallas reported.
It took them about two hours to completely extinguish the fire.
The flames never reached the animals, but the pet store was filled with smoke. Besides the birds, chickens, hamsters, two dogs and two cats also died, Evans said.
LOST DOG IS SAFELY RESCUED AFTER SURVIVING ALONE IN THE WOODS FOR OVER 6 YEARS
The Plaza Latina shopping center in Dallas. (KDFW)
“While DFR personnel searched and attempted to rescue them, all of the animals in the store unfortunately perished due to smoke inhalation,” Evans said.
No one was injured in the fire. However, the fire caused extensive damage to the structure, including a partially collapsed roof.
Wilmer is approximately 16 miles from downtown Dallas. (Matt Nager/Bloomberg via Getty Images)
CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP
The mall includes several small businesses and was described on its Facebook page as “a place where people can go to eat and buy all kinds of Latin goods and services.”
A message on the Spanish page asked for prayers for the families who work there.
Dallas Fire Rescue did not immediately respond to Fox News Digital’s request for comment.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
Fox