'Heartbroken': Owners say animals died in Fayetteville pet store fire - WRAL.com

'Heartbroken': Owners say animals died in Fayetteville pet store fire - WRAL.com

'Heartbroken': Owners say animals died in Fayetteville pet store fire - WRAL.com

Posted: 25 Apr 2021 12:00 AM PDT

By Kasey Cunningham, WRAL reporter & Gilbert Baez, WRAL Fayetteville reporter

Fayetteville, N.C. — A woman said she is heartbroken after her family's pet store went up in flames Sunday night in Fayetteville and many animals died inside.

Aqua-Rama Pets, located in the 4900 block of Bragg Boulevard, sells a large variety of aquarium fish, reptiles and small animals like bunnies and hamsters.

"It's all gone. My family is just heartbroken," one owner told WRAL News, saying firefighters were only able to save a bunny, a large bird and a few snakes.

The nearby On-After Pub & Grub posted a video showing the severity of the fire and multiple emergency responders at the scene, saying, "Our hearts go out to our friends over at Aqua-Rama."

Joe Spano has owned the pet store since 1984.

"I really can't describe what it was. It was my life, to be honest with you, my family's life, my grandkids, everybody. But you know, life goes on," said Spano.

The fire broke through the roof shortly after crews arrived. One crew declared an emergency due to a ceiling collapse, but they were able to safely evacuate the structure.

Firefighters said the fire started in the back of the store around 7:45 p.m. on Sunday. When they arrived, smoke and flames were shooting from the back of the building. Then, the roof collapsed.

"So [after that], we requested additional units come to the scene," said Fayetteville Fire Marshal T.J. McLamb. "They were able to evacuate safely, then regroup and then fire attack again."

Firefighters were able to save some of the pets on Sunday night. On Monday, Spano and his family salvaged what they could and mourned what they lost.

"Most of the reptiles didn't make it. None of the birds made it, except for one. I think that they got three snakes, some turtles, the one bird and I think, a bunny. That's what made it," said Spano's daughter Dawn Trivette.

As fire investigators try to figure out what caused the fire, Spano said he can't believe this Fayetteville icon is gone.

"I have three and four generations coming to this shop," he said. "I've [been] waiting on their grandmothers, their kids, their grandchildren. I'm going to miss it."

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