By Mike O’Neal
Chattanooga Times Free Press (Tennessee)
Copyright 2006 Chattanooga Publishing Company
About six animals died late Tuesday night as the result of a two-alarm fire in a building at the Warner Park Zoo, according to zoo volunteer Rick Jackson.
The fire occurred in an office building next to the zoo’s entrance, according to Chattanooga Fire Department spokesman Bruce Garner.
He said firefighters fought the blaze from both the inside and outside of the structure. While firefighters were able to save many animals, some were lost in the fire, Mr. Garner said.
In addition to offices, the building housed small animals, including a ferret and a chinchilla, used in educational programs and was also a rehabilitation area for ill and injured animals, Mr. Jackson said.
About 10 animals were saved from the building’s first floor, but possibly six animals died in the fire, he said.
While firefighters contained the blaze, the zoo’s staff and veterinarian made certain animals were moved to safety, Mr. Jackson said.
Many of the rescued animals were sheltered from the elements inside the reptile building, he said.
No cause for the fire has been determined, and cleanup and evaluation of damage will continue today, officials said.