Firefighters Use Oxygen Masks to Save Hundreds of Reptiles in Pet Store Fire

A two-alarm fire damaged a reptile store in Stanton on Wednesday, and though no one was injured, hundreds of lizards, snakes and other creatures were displaced, officials said.

The fire was reported about 8:10 p.m. in the 10500 block of Beach Boulevard, according to the Orange County Fire Authority.

About 50 firefighters from the OCFA and Anaheim Fire Department responded and had the fire under control by 8:43 p.m., officials said.

As many as 300 snakes, lizards, tarantulas and other creatures were being removed from the shop, which has been at the location for more than 25 years, according to officials at the scene.

Some of them were affected by water and smoke, but it was unclear if any had died.

Animal control officers at the scene said they would be taken to a county animal shelter.

Two arson investigators were also at the scene.

-- City News Service, photos courtesy of the OCFA