Lawrence Pet World owners vow to rebuild after fire

LAWRENCE – The owners of a Lawrence pet store are vowing to rebuild it following a fire that killed an undisclosed number of animals and injured dozens more.

The Lawrence Journal-World reports that fire department officials say they have yet to determine a cause in the Monday fire at Pet World, 711 W. 23rd St.

Co-owner Sherry Emerson said in a statement posted on the business’ website that the blaze broke out in the store’s backroom, likely near the electrical panels.

She said she would “not be announcing a death toll any time soon.”

While many fish, reptiles and arachnids survived the fire, Emerson said a number of mammals and birds died from the fumes. Snakes that died were removed from the store and will be buried.

This story was originally published May 27, 2015 at 12:05 PM with the headline "Lawrence Pet World owners vow to rebuild after fire."