Dallas Fire Department personnel found 579 animals dead from smoke inhalation at a pet store while responding to a fire at a Dallas shopping center Friday.
The fire broke out at 9:15 a.m. at the one-story Plaza Latina Bazaar commercial building and grew into a two-alarm blaze requiring 40 to 45 firefighters to put out, according to local news site DFW Scanner.
The fire caused a partial collapse of the roof and a large amount of smoke which spread towards a pet store located at the rear of the building. No one was hurt.
“As DFR staff searched and attempted to rescue them, unfortunately all of the animals in the store perished due to smoke inhalation,” DFR spokesperson Jason Evans said, according to the Associated Press.
The dead animals were mostly small birds as well as two dogs, two cats, hamsters and chickens.
Two dozen animals survived, including miniature pigs, guinea pigs and rabbits. They are now in the care of Dallas Animal Services, according to CBS affiliate KTVT.
“We had an unfortunate situation this morning. We ask for your prayers for all the families who work here, hoping to come back strong, to give you the attention you deserve,” the mall posted on Facebook.
The cause of the fire remains under investigation.
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