Dozens of animals died Monday when a fire broke out at an animal sanctuary in Orange County. The fire was reported just after 1:30 a.m. at Second Chance Wildlife Sanctuary on Baron Road.Second Chance Wildlife Sanctuary describes itself on Twitter as an organization that houses and cares for exotic abandoned wildlife. Orange County Fire Rescue officials said in a series of tweets that the owner of the animal rescue was asleep in an upstairs bedroom when he was awakened by peacocks squawking.Neighbors called 911 as the homeowner and sanctuary founder escaped, fire officials said. Officials said he was able to save some of the animals.Firefighters were able to get the fire out in about 30 to 40 minutes, but the home, which is also the owner's wildlife sanctuary, was destroyed.Among the animals killed were dogs, cats, snakes and several giant tortoises.Fire rescue officials said they don't believe any dangerous animals got free as a result of the fire.The cause of the fire will be determined by Florida Bureau of Fire and Arson Investigations, officials said.

Dozens of animals died Monday when a fire broke out at an animal sanctuary in Orange County.

The fire was reported just after 1:30 a.m. at Second Chance Wildlife Sanctuary on Baron Road.


Second Chance Wildlife Sanctuary describes itself on Twitter as an organization that houses and cares for exotic abandoned wildlife.

This content is imported from Twitter. You may be able to find the same content in another format, or you may be able to find more information, at their web site.

.@OCFireRescue spokesman tells me they believe two dozen animals died in the fire at Second Chance Wildlife Sanctuary, but that’s just an early estimate. @WESH pic.twitter.com/hBzB6OpTiJ — Alex Villarreal (@AlexvWESH) February 4, 2019

Orange County Fire Rescue officials said in a series of tweets that the owner of the animal rescue was asleep in an upstairs bedroom when he was awakened by peacocks squawking.



Neighbors called 911 as the homeowner and sanctuary founder escaped, fire officials said. Officials said he was able to save some of the animals.

Firefighters were able to get the fire out in about 30 to 40 minutes, but the home, which is also the owner's wildlife sanctuary, was destroyed.

Among the animals killed were dogs, cats, snakes and several giant tortoises.

Fire rescue officials said they don't believe any dangerous animals got free as a result of the fire.

The cause of the fire will be determined by Florida Bureau of Fire and Arson Investigations, officials said.

This content is imported from Twitter. You may be able to find the same content in another format, or you may be able to find more information, at their web site.