Crews work to save animals after fire at Lawrence pet store

LAWRENCE – Veterinarians and emergency officials worked to save animals after a fire broke out at a Kansas pet store.

Lawrence police Sgt. Trent McKinley said the fire started at noon Monday at Pet World in Lawrence. The store was closed at the time.

The Lawrence Journal World reported that rescue workers brought out 20 to 30 tarantulas, a large python and other reptiles. Some rats, a few hamsters and gerbils stored in a separate structure were also rescued.

Eve Tolefree, Lawrence-Douglas County Fire Medical Division chief, said other animals died in the fire, but it was unclear how many. He said the cause of the fire is under investigation.

Veterinarians and shop workers set up a makeshift triage area where animals could be iced down and given oxygen.

This story was originally published May 25, 2015 at 10:54 PM with the headline "Crews work to save animals after fire at Lawrence pet store."