- More than 500 animals, primarily birds, died from smoke inhalation during a fire at Plaza Latina Bazaar in Dallas.
- The fire caused significant damage, including a partially collapsed roof, but no human injuries.
- Dallas Animal Services recovered 579 animals, though no exotic animals were found at the site.
A fire broke out at the Plaza Latina Bazaar in Dallas on Friday, claiming the lives of over 500 animals housed in a pet shop. The fire, which was quickly extinguished after two hours, never reached the animals directly.
but heavy smoke filled the store, leading to the tragic deaths of small birds, hamsters, two dogs, and two cats. Dallas Fire-Rescue personnel attempted a search and rescue, but all the animals perished from smoke inhalation.
Fire at Dallas Shopping Center Kills Hundreds of Animals, No Human Injuries
The blaze caused significant damage to the shopping center, including a partially collapsed roof. Although the pet shop did not sell exotic animals, 579 animals in total were removed from the scene. Fortunately, no humans were injured in the incident. The Plaza Latina Bazaar, a small shopping center with various Latin-based businesses, has asked for support and prayers for the affected families.
Dallas Animal Services managed to remove 579 animals from the scene, including chickens, hamsters, and a few dogs and cats. Exotic animals, which the pet shop typically sold, were not found on the premises at the time of the fire. Fortunately, there were no reported injuries to any humans, but the incident has caused an immense loss to the community and the families running the businesses in the shopping center.
The shopping center, which offers various Latin goods and services, is now left to rebuild after the fire devastated the area. The Plaza Latina Bazaar has posted a message asking for prayers and support for the affected families, who are grappling with the aftermath of the tragedy. While the fire’s cause remains under investigation, the community has come together in their grief.
Dallas Fire-Rescue continues to monitor the situation, though no further updates have been released regarding the fire’s cause. Local authorities are working to understand how such a tragedy occurred and ensure that safety measures are reviewed for the future.
This fire serves as a reminder of the unforeseen dangers that can affect both animals and businesses, leaving a lasting impact on the community.
“While fire did not reach the pet shop, a great deal of smoke did enter. While DFR personnel did search and attempt rescue, all animals in the shop unfortunately perished due to smoke inhalation.” — Jason Evans, Dallas Fire-Rescue spokesperson
