579 Animals Die After Fire Bursts Through Dallas Shopping Center: ‘Regrettable Situation’

Mar. 15, 2025

Plaza Latina Bazaar, the shopping center where the fire happened, on Jan. 3, 2025.Photo:WFAA/YouTube

WFAA/YouTube

More than 500 animals are dead due to smoke inhalation after a fire broke out at a Dallas shopping center.

A two-alarm fire broke out at the Plaza Latina Bazaar — where the pet store was located — at around 9:15 a.m. on Friday, Jan. 3, Dallas Fire-Rescue toldAssociated Press,CBS NewsandThe Washington Times.

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

Dallas Fire-Rescue did not immediately respond to PEOPLE’s request for comment on the incident.

“Recognizing that suppression efforts would be defensive early on, a second-alarm response was immediately requested,” Dallas Fire-Rescue continued. “[Firefighters used] hand lines and three ladder pipes to surround and drown the fire from all sides.”

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About 40 firefighters responded to extinguish the blaze, which caused a partial section of the one-story commercial building to collapse. No people were injured in the fire and the cause of the fire is under investigation, fire officials noted, perThe Washington Times.

source: people.com