THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Tuesday, May 2, 1995 TAG: 9505020270
SECTION: LOCAL PAGE: B1 EDITION: NORTH CAROLINA
SOURCE: BY PAUL SOUTH, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: KILL DEVIL HILLS LENGTH: Medium: 76 lines
An early-morning fire damaged The Pet Gallery on Monday, but the hundreds of pets in the building - ranging from fish to birds to alligators - escaped death.
``It's a miracle,'' said owner David Sharp, 42. ``We're stunned that we didn't lose every bird. These birds have sensitive respiratory systems. This place was filled with smoke.''
No employees were there when the fire broke out about 7:20 a.m. at 1210 S. Croatan Highway. Officials said the blaze apparently was started by an electrical short circuit in an extension cord in the rear of the business.
Four birds, including a 10-year-old blue and gold Macaw named Yosi, were taken to Coastal Animal Hospital for treatment. Yosi is Sharp's personal pet.
Sharp credited firefighters from Kill Devil Hills, Nags Head, Kitty Hawk, Colington and Roanoke Island for quickly extinguishing the blaze and evacuating the caged animals. Many of those same firefighters had battled a blaze less than 12 hours earlier at Miller's Seafood and Steakhouse.
``I just can't believe they got 'em out of there,'' Sharp said of the rescuers. ``They got the job done.''
Kill Devil Hills Assistant Fire Chief Craig Clark said the rescue was a first for firefighters.
``We've never had a situation where we had to rescue and evacuate animals like that,'' Clark said. ``I heard that there was an alligator and a snake that were somewhat agitated. But for the most part, it seemed the animals were soscared, they were glad for any help they could get. Most of them suffered from smoke inhalation.''
Dr. Amy Campbell treated Yosi, as well as two African Gray parrots, and a baby Macaw for inhalation at Coastal Animal Hospital. All of the birds were reported doing fine.
``Yosi was in an oxygen tent for a couple of hours. He's out now, and breathing fine,'' Campbell said. ``He's up on the side of his cage trying to bite anyone that comes by.''
Firefighters assisted store employees by placing oxygen in new aquariums after fish were transferred from their soot-caked former homes.
Campbell said she sought assistance from veterinarians at North Carolina State University in Raleigh and experts in Norfolk for advice in treating the exotic animals.
``The fish have very delicate respiratory systems,'' she said. ``The lining of the respiratory tract is very sensitive to toxins, smoke and other chemicals.''
Campbell said that like humans, animals injured in a fire or other trauma can suffer from shock.
``When an animal goes into shock, its circulatory system shuts down,'' Campbell said. ``We treat it the same way we treat humans, with an (intravenous solution) and medication to stabilize the system.''
Meanwhile, Sharp and his colleagues began the task of rebuilding the pet store.
``I would imagine that before it's all over, I'll lose a lot of fish,'' he said. ``I just don't know where to begin.''
Sharp said he was overwhelmed by the help he received, not only from firefighters, but also from neighbors. The owner of the shopping center where the pet store is located offered Sharp the use of empty space to house snakes and alligators.
``It's like being invaded by an army that wants to help,'' Sharp said. ``Emotionally, it's been a big help.'' ILLUSTRATION: Color staff photos by DREW C. WILSON/
Firefighters carry birds and terrariums out of the Pet Gallery in
Kill Devil Hills on Monday morning. Their quick actions saved
hundreds of exotic fish, birds and reptiles from smoke inhalation.
KEYWORDS: FIRE NORTH CAROLINA by CNB