Local News Reptiles rescued from fire at Wakefield exotic animal business No humans were injured in the Sunday night fire, officials said.
Firefighters rescued multiple animals, mostly reptiles, from a fire at a commercial complex in Wakefield Sunday night, officials said.
Five local departments responded to a fire at North Shore Animal Academy Sunday, which was put out without any reported injuries, officials said in a press release.
The Wakefield Fire Department was the first to respond to an alarm activation at about 7:15 p.m. at 387 Lowell St. The one-story building is a commercial complex, and multiple restaurants and businesses were operating at the time of the incident, officials said.
Responding crews found the fire originating from North Shore Animal Academy, a business offering classes, camps, and birthday parties that allow the public to see exotic animals up-close.
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Firefighters began an “aggressive attack” on the fire upon arrival and struck a second alarm for additional resources.
“Crews were able to contain the fire to North Shore Animal Academy, though smoke traveled through the complex to several adjacent businesses,” officials said in a press release.
Pictures of the scene obtained by Boston 25 showed officials carrying terrariums from the building. No humans were injured in the fire and most of the animals taken out of the building were reptiles, officials told the news outlet.
Firefighters from several communities rescue exotic animals from fire at Wakefield shophttps://t.co/o2Nlz9KCce pic.twitter.com/kJLI0CcGv2 — Boston 25 News (@boston25) March 25, 2024
The Melrose, Reading, Stoneham, and Woburn fire departments provided mutual aid in the incident. Ladder trucks from the North Reading and Lynnfield fire departments also responded, according to the release.
“I would like to thank our mutual aid partners and our department members for their timely response and assistance during this incident,” said Wakefield Fire Chief MIchael Sullivan.
The cause of the fire is under investigation by the Wakefield Fire Department and the State Fire Marshal’s Office.
