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Hundreds of animals die in pet store fire
About 25 dogs, half a dozen cats, 20 hamsters, 20 guinea pigs and 20 rabbits as well as a Siamese turtle and an alligator died in the blaze.
Hundreds of animals perished when a fire destroyed a Long Island pet store early this morning.
Police say the blaze was reported shortly after 3 a.m. at BTJ's Jungle Pet Store on Sunrise Highway in West Islip. The store is owned by three brothers John, Bill and Tom Niehoff.
John Niehoff says about 25 dogs and half a dozen cats, 20 hamsters, 20 guinea pigs, 20 rabbits and at least 1,000 fish died in the blaze -- along with a menagerie of exotic animals, including a Siamese turtle and an alligator. Two ducks and a turkey kept in a pen and a small ribbon snake survived.
Police say two firefighters suffered minor injuries while battling the blaze. The cause of the fire is under investigation. Niehoff says firefighters think it might have started in the back of the store, where the fish tanks were located, and might have been electrical.
