5000 fish die in fire
Fish and birds worth more than $3OOO were killed when fire badly damaged a pet shop in Shirley early yesterday. An electrical fault is believed to have caused the fire — ut Pat’s Wholesale Tropicals, in Acheson Avenue.
The owner of the shop, Mr P. J. McGrath, said the 5000 fish and 20 birds killed had been overcome by the thick smoke.
Four aquariums exploded in the heat, and smoke affected all the tanks.
Some of the fish killed were rare enough to sell for up to $3O each. The birds lost in the fire were mainly canaries, budgerigars, and Java sparrows.
Two fire engines were called to the fire, at 229 a.m. Firemen had to wear breathing apparatus because of the dense smoke. Mr McGrath said the shop would probably be demolished and and rebuilt. The building and its contents were insured.
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Press, 15 November 1977, Page 2
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1475000 fish die in fire Press, 15 November 1977, Page 2
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