Pet Store Fire: Animals Saved By Quick Sprinkler Activation

ORLAND PARK, IL — All animals are safe and business is back to normal on Wednesday at the Chicago Fish and Coral Company in Orland Park two days after a small fire broke out at the pet store on John Humphrey Drive in the Horton Plaza.

A sprinkler system was credited for saving all animals in the store from harm after the fire began around 8:15 p.m. on Jan. 27, according to Ray Hanania, a spokesman for the Orland Fire Protection District.

"The quick activation of the sprinkler system kept the fire in check and allowed companies to protect the pets inside of the business," Hanania said.

None of the animals needed to be removed and all were in "good condition" after the fire was put out. It took only a few minutes for Oralnd fire companies to extinguish the small fire and remove the smoke from the store and surrounding businesses, according to Hanania.

One of the store's windows was broken for ventilation purposes and the store was closed on Tuesday as a result of the fire. They were back open Wednesday.

The store's owner, Brian Potter, told the Chicago Sun-Times the fire started via a chiller near the fish tank.

The cause of the fire is still under investigation, Hanania said.