Massive fire at Dallas mall kills more than 500 animals at pet store

More than 500 animals have died after a fire broke out in a shopping center in Dallas.

The 579 animals, mostly birds, were in a pet shop at Plaza Latina in the north-west of the Texas city.

Flames from the fire did not reach the animals but they died from smoke inhalation, the Dallas Fire and Rescue (DFR) spokesperson Jason Evans said.

Chickens, hamsters, two dogs and two cats also died, he added.

He said that it took about two hours and 45 firefighters to extinguish the fire.

"While DFR personnel did search and attempt rescue, all animals in the shop unfortunately perished due to smoke inhalation," Evans said.

No people were injured in the fire. The structure of the large, one-storey shopping center was severely damaged, including a roof that partially collapsed, Evans said.

The cause of the fire was not immediately known and was under investigation, Evans said.

Related News:

All victims' bodies from Jeju Air crash have been recovered

3 dead after fishing boat runs aground off southwest S. Korea