(Long Island-WABC, December 18, 2004) -- A pet store, engulfed in flames, leaves hundreds of defenseless animals--including puppies and little kittens--dead.
Eyewitness News reporter Stacey Sager is live from West Islip with details.
There is no doubt about it--this story is heartbreaking. We're standing right where this pet store used to be. As you can see, it has been reduced to rubble.
All the animals inside this building were killed. Over here, residents have been creating their own memorial, and dropping off stuffed animals, out of respect.
The fire burned through this pet store so quickly the animals never had a chance. It was just after 3:00 in the morning and none of the workers, or the owners, of BTJ's Jungle pet shop could get here fast enough to save them.
Alex Blandeburgo, pet store employee: "I was getting ready to come to work this morning and then I hear about this. I come down here and see--total disaster."
The building was demolished by the fire department, as investigators look into possible electrical problems near a fish tank. Here are the cages, where the other animals must have been trapped.
Kevin Semeran, pet shop employee: "We had at least 15 puppies in there, there were probably at least six to eight kittens; a shark, fish--tropical and salt water. All kinds of birds, including a parrot."
Bill Niehoff, pet shop owner: "There must have been hundred of animals in here, and today--nothing. I just feel horrible."
The only animal that rescuers were able to save was a giant white turkey, named Tom, and a duck that lives in a coop just outside the store.
Ironically, just feet away is an animal hospital, where veterinarians on 24-hour-standby could have tried to help, if there had been more time.
Dr. John Fondacaro, Atlantic Veterinary Center: "If anything could have been done, there couldn't be a better location for that. But there was really nothing that could be done."
The scene of the fire has now become a memorial site, as residents have been dropping off stuffed animals. It had been a family-run business for the past 35-years.
Investigators as still trying to pinpoint the exact cause of the fire, but they don't believe it was suspicious.
