Southwest
More than 500 animals killed during fire at Texas shopping center
Hundreds of animals were killed Friday when a fire broke out at a Dallas shopping center.
The 579 animals, mostly small birds, in a pet shop at Plaza Latina shopping center died from smoke inhalation, Dallas Fire-Rescue spokesperson Jason Evans said in a statement.
MISSING DOG IN VIRGINIA CAPTURED AFTER 6 MONTHS ON THE RUN: ‘ALMOST LOST HOPE’
Firefighters spray water on the Plaza Latina shopping center in Dallas, Texas on Friday. (KDFW)
Dallas Fire-Rescue said that by the time firefighters arrived, heavy smoke and flames were rising from the building, FOX Dallas reported.
It took them about two hours to fully extinguish the blaze.
The flames never reached the animals, but the pet shop filled with smoke. In addition to the birds, chickens, hamsters, two dogs and two cats also died, Evans said.
LOST DOG IS SAFELY RESCUED AFTER IT SURVIVED ALONE IN THE WOODS FOR MORE THAN 6 YEARS
The Plaza Latina shopping center in Dallas. (KDFW)
“While DFR personnel did search and attempt rescue, all animals in the shop unfortunately perished due to smoke inhalation,” Evans said.
No people were hurt in the fire. However, the fire did significant damage to the structure, including a partially collapsed roof.
Wilmer is about 16 miles away from downtown Dallas. (Matt Nager/Bloomberg via Getty Images)
The shopping center includes multiple small businesses and was described on its Facebook page as “a place where people can go to eat, and buy all sorts of Latin goods and services.”
A post on the page in Spanish asked for prayers for the families who work there.
Dallas Fire-Rescue did not immediately respond to Fox News Digital’s request for comment.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
Read the full article from Here
The star-studded feel-good giveback event of the summer has returned. KTLA 5 is teaming up once again with Project Angel Food for the annual “Lead with Love: Going the Distance” telethon to raise critical funds for medically tailored meals delivered to people living with serious illnesses throughout Los Angeles County. The seventh annual telethon airs […]
A woman was hospitalized with serious injuries after she was violently attacked by a robber in downtown Long Beach. On June 18, Jennifer Silva, 34, was attending a World Cup watch party at a Hooters restaurant at 90 Aquarium Way. After the game ended, she left the restaurant just before 11 p.m. As she walked […]
Jurors deliberating the fate of the man accused of starting the Palisades Fire, one of the most destructive wildfires in California’s history, failed to reach a verdict Thursday afternoon, telling the judge they were deadlocked.
A spokesperson from the United States Attorney’s Office told KTLA that jurors will continue to deliberate until they reach a verdict or give up.
Jonathan Rinderknecht, 30, a former Uber driver and one-time Pacific Palisades resident, is accused of starting the Lachman Fire on New Year’s Eve. The fire continued to smolder underground for about a week, even after Los Angeles firefighters believed it had been extinguished.
Flames reignited on Jan. 7, erupting into the deadly Palisades Fire that killed 12 people and destroyed thousands of homes in the upscale community, authorities said.
-
A courtroom sketch of Jonathan Rinderknecht, 29, during his initial court appearance on Oct. 23, 2025. (Bill Robles) -
The U.S. Dept. of Justice booking photo of Jonathan Rinderknecht over the Palisades Fire devastation in Malibu, California in January 2025 (AP).
Prosecutors argued that Rinderknecht deliberately set the fire, claiming he had grown increasingly resentful of wealthy residents and viewed Pacific Palisades as a symbol of that frustration.
“Their case, though circumstantial, is strong,” KTLA legal analyst Alison Triessl said. “The defense is relying on, can they (prosecutors) show beyond a reasonable doubt that Mr. Rinderknecht actually started this fire and it wasn’t the result of fireworks or some intervening cause.”
The defense argued there is no direct physical evidence tying Rinderknecht to the fire and said the prosecution’s case relies entirely on circumstantial evidence. Rinderknecht did not testify during the trial.
Defense attorney Steve Haney spoke outside the courthouse Wednesday about why he believes it will be difficult for prosecutors to prove how the fire started.
“The lack of scene preservation. The fact that they got there after a lot of the evidence was missing. Not a lot of direct evidence. This is a circumstantial case, which is always difficult as a prosecutor to prove,” Haney said.
Rinderknecht, who was arrested and indicted last October, faces up to 45 years in prison if found guilty of three arson counts, including destruction of property by means of fire, arson affecting property used in interstate commerce and timber set afire.
Tony Kurzweil contributed to this report
-
Arkansas12 seconds agoFrom the Senate to the Attorney General’s Office, Gilmore’s exit opens District 1 seat
-
Colorado8 minutes agoSee the list of this year’s Fourth of July professional fireworks shows in the Denver area
-
Connecticut15 minutes ago
Newly released video shows Connecticut prison officers striking inmate before he died
-
Delaware18 minutes agoAnnual Delaware River Sojourn honors the nation’s 250th anniversary
-
Florida23 minutes agoFlorida Lottery Mega Millions, Jackpot Triple Play results for June 26, 2026
-
Georgia30 minutes ago
Georgia Lottery Mega Millions, Cash 3 results for June 26, 2026
-
Hawaii33 minutes agoPolice recover 19 gaming machines, $7K in Kakaako gambling bust
-
Idaho38 minutes agoThe reactor race has begun
