Additional Coverage:
Tragedy struck Dallas on Friday when a fire erupted at the Plaza Latina shopping center, claiming the lives of hundreds of animals.
The blaze engulfed a pet shop, filling it with thick smoke that proved fatal for 579 animals, primarily small birds. Firefighters arrived to find flames and smoke billowing from the building, and it took them two hours to extinguish the blaze.
The fire spared the animals from the flames, but they succumbed to smoke inhalation. In addition to the birds, hamsters, chickens, two dogs, and two cats perished in the tragedy.
Firefighters attempted to rescue the animals, but their efforts proved unsuccessful. No human casualties were reported, but the fire caused substantial damage to the structure, including a collapsed roof.
The Plaza Latina shopping center is home to numerous small businesses and offers a range of Latin goods and services. A post on its Facebook page expressed condolences for the families affected by the fire.