DALLAS — Hundreds of animals were killed after a fire swept through a Northwest Dallas shopping center on Friday morning.
The Dallas Fire-Rescue Department announced that 579 animals died as a result of the fire at Plaza Latina Bazaar on Harry Hines Boulevard – most from smoke inhalation.
The animals who died had been housed in an exotic pet store.
“Most were small birds, but there were also chickens, hamsters, two dogs and two cats,” said Robert Borse, a spokesman for Dallas Fire-Rescue. “No exotic animals were found on the site at the time of recovery.”
A few others were rescued and revived, thanks to the efforts of Dallas Fire-Rescue crews.
“While fire did not reach the pet shop, a great deal of smoke did enter,” Borse said. “While DFR personnel did search and attempt rescue, all animals (remaining) in the shop unfortunately perished due to smoke inhalation.”
Dallas firefighters, accustomed to extinguishing flames, performed CPR on a tortoise and revived a near-death puppy.