Animals Killed In 'Tragic Fire' At Madeira Beach Wildlife Center

MADEIRA BEACH, FL — A “tragic fire” tore through the Alligator & Wildlife Discovery Center at John’s Pass Village and Boardwalk overnight Wednesday, killing many animals, the educational center and animal rescue wrote in a Facebook post.

“Nearly all of the animals are gone. We are devastated,” the organization wrote.

The post didn’t specify how many animals were killed in the fire.

The center is home to more than 250 exotic animal rescues, orphaned native wildlife and pet surrenders, according to its website. This includes lizards, small mammals, amphibians, turtles and tortoises, freshwater marine life, and alligators.

Fire crews at the scene told Bay News 9 that all of the mammals and some reptiles were killed, while a few of the alligators and turtles are expected to recover.

The fire started before 3 a.m., Madeira Beach Fire Chief Clint Belk told WFTS. First responders found heavy smoke and fire when they arrived at the center.

While they made an initial intense attack on the building’s interior, they were forced to exit it when flames shot through the roof, he said.

The center’s owner, Sonny Flynn, told Fox 13 News that most of the animal enclosures were made of wood and likely went up in flames quickly.

"It’s devastating," she said. "This is my life. I don’t have anything after this."

A GoFundMe fundraiser has been organized to raise money for Alligator & Wildlife Discovery Center. As of Thursday morning, $500 of the $10,000 goal has been raised.