Bob's+Tropical+Pet+Center

Bob's Tropical Pet Center was located at 91-10 Jamaica Avenue until a tragic fire gutted the premises and took the lives of many small animals in August of 2006. Currently the location of the Dental Health Center. Click [|here to view news coverage of the tragic fire] -- some pictures are below:







Here is how the [|local news covered it]--

by Tamsen Fadal QUEENS (CBS) ― A firefighter held an oxygen mask over the tiny face of a kitten as residents and rescuers fought to save animals trapped in a burning pet store, witnesses and officials said Monday. As flames destroyed the building, firefighters carried out whatever animals they could, including a kitten that was treated at the scene. Many of the animals were removed by good Samaritans who live in the area. "The kittens had smoke inhalation, they have burns on their pads," said Lenore Telesca, who helped rescue the cats. "We gave them some fluid therapy and some antibiotics. ... Right now they're in stable condition." "I'm just trying to locate these animals and put them in the hospital where they belong," said Veterinary Technician Margaret Duffy. "There's been major phone calls to us and many phone numbers given to us who took dogs, who took cats. God had blessed us," said Susan Gentile, the owner of Bob's Tropical Pet Center on Jamaica Avenue. "Some of them will have smoke inhalation and will need to see a veterinarian," Duffy said. The fire, in the Woodhaven section of Queens, was placed under control shortly before 1 a.m. Monday, an hour after it began. The owners are still trying to figure how many animals survived. Most were located in the back of the store including puppies, kittens, birds, fish and guinea pigs. The pet store was about to celebrate 50 years in business. Upset over the animals that didn't survive, owner Susan Gentile is thankful her brother-in-law who lives above the store realized the building was on fire. Gentile said, "He smelled the smoke, and he got right out." Restaurant owner Salomon Paniagua was closing up his restaurant next door when he heard screaming and saw the fire. "So I go inside call 9-1-1 and go to get water and when I was coming back the explosion came," Paniagua said. It ended up being a three-alarm fire. Eleven firefighters went to the hospital with minor injuries. No civilians were injured in the blaze. "It's devastating," said Gentile. "But we'll get it together again." The cause of the fire is still under investigation.
 * Animals Rescued From Queens Pet Store Blaze**

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