DOWNEY : Box Accumulation
Blamed in Pet Store Fire
An accumulation of cardboard boxes and other paper materials near an electrical panel caused a weekend fire that killed more than 150 animals at a pet store, fire officials said.
The animals died from smoke inhalation after the small blaze started at Pet City, 7804 Florence Ave. The flames were extinguished quickly by firefighters, but it was too late to save seven puppies, a cat, an Amazon parrot, nearly 40 hamsters, about 50 mice, and various other birds, snakes and fish. Only a few puppies and a kitten at the front of the store survived.
Investigators are trying to determine whether city codes were violated.
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