More than 500 animals died in a pet shop after a fire broke out at a shopping centre in Dallas, Texas, on Friday.
Dallas Fire and Rescue spent two hours battling the blaze at Plaza Latina, a Spanish-speaking mall in the southern US city.
Although the flames did not reach the pet shop, 579 animals succumbed to smoke inhalation. Most of the animals were birds, but chickens, hamsters, two dogs, and two cats also perished.
No people were injured in the fire, which is believed to have started when the shopping centre was closed.
Dallas Fire and Rescue spokesman Jason Evans said the operation involved 45 firefighters and took about two hours to extinguish.
He said: "While [fire service] personnel did search and attempt rescue, all animals in the shop unfortunately perished due to smoke inhalation."
The blaze damaged the structure of the Plaza Latina, which is said to offer Latino goods and services as well as the pet shop.
The shopping centre is closed as an investigation takes place.
A post in Spanish on its Facebook page asked for prayers for the families who worked there.
