Animals die in petting zoo fire
2/9/2006More than four dozen exotic and native animals perished overnight in a barn fire at Nature s Creek Petting Zoo on Crabb Road in Temperance.
Firefighters were called to the privately-owned zoo at about 1:50 this morning. When they arrived, the fire had fully engulfed the barn and flames were shooting from the roof, said Bedford Township Fire Chief John Bofia.
He said firefighters were unable to enter the structure the rescue any of the animals inside.
The cause of the blaze is still under investigation, but appeared to be accidental, the chief said. The barn was heated and had electricity and interior drywalls.
The zoo, which opened in 2001, had more than 200 animals on the 10-acre facility.
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