579 animals killed in shopping center fire

DALLAS (KTVT/CNN Newsource/WKRC) – 579 animals died during a fire at a shopping center that consumed an exotic pet store.

A fire tore through the Plaza Latina Bazaar in Dallas on Friday morning, destroying multiple businesses, including an exotic pet store.

579 animals from the pet store died in the fire, most from smoke inhalation, according to CBS News.

“Most were small birds, but there were also chickens, hamsters, two dogs and two cats,” said Dallas Fire-Rescue spokesman Robert Borse. “No exotic animals were found on the site at the time of recovery.”

Firefighters worked quickly to multiple near-death animals, including puppies, turtles, miniature pigs, guinea pigs, and rabbits.

Almost two dozen animals survived and were transferred to Dallas Animal Services.