LITTLETON, Colo. --
Fire investigators believe a reptile store fire that killed more than 3,000 snakes last month was ignited by wiring used for heating devices to keep reptiles warm.
"Our preliminary investigation indicates that it was electric in nature," Littleton Fire Division Chief Jim Hofstra told 7NEWS.
Fire investigators found the fire originated at the floor level, Hofstra said.
"The only ignition source in that area was the extensive electrical wiring that was throughout the store. They had boxes of extension cords used for the heaters and heat tape" that kept reptile containers warm, Hofstra said.
Heat tape is an electrically heated thin plastic sheet placed beneath reptile containers.
Hofstra said investigators are doing additional testing to calculate the electrical load on circuits based on the number of extension cords used to power the heating devices.
The fire that broke out at about 5:40 a.m. on Sept. 26 in a warehouse at 3911 Norwood Drive badly damaged the Pro Exotics reptile store and caused less damage to other businesses in the warehouse.
Pro Exotics' owners said about 3,000 non-venomous snakes were kept in the containers stored in racks throughout the warehouse.
Almost all of the snakes died, but a small number of snakes were found alive, including a large boa constrictor that two firefighters carried from the warehouse ruins. Also rescued from the unit were several incubation containers holding snake eggs that may survive.
The shop specialized in breeding high-end exotic snakes, some worth more than $20,000, according to store owners.
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