ORLANDO, Fla. (AP) - Firefighters say dozens of animals are dead following a fire at a central Florida animal sanctuary.
Orange County Fire Rescue officials posted on Twitter that the fire broke out early Monday at Second Chance Wildlife Sanctuary near Orlando. In a series of tweets, fire officials said the owner of the animal rescue was asleep in an upstairs bedroom when he was awakened by peacocks squawking.
#PHOTOS Baron Rd #workingfire neighbors called 911 as the homeowner, and @WildlifeOrlando founder, tried to save his animals. Yoshi was the only one of four dogs to make it out. pic.twitter.com/R61AVPNPCi
— OCFire Rescue (@OCFireRescue) February 4, 2019
Officials say he was able to save some of the animals while a neighbor called 911.
Neighbor Denis Moredo tells WFTV he heard an explosion and saw flames coming from the home. He says he saw a swan running across the road to escape the blaze.
Officials say dogs, snakes and tortoises died in the fire.
An investigation into what caused the fire continues.
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