Monday evening, Prescott Fire responded to a 911 call from the Heritage Park Zoo off Willow Creek Road on the north side of Prescott for a building fire. Fire Marshal Don Devendorf says responding units could see the flames from a distance. Crews found a building used to house Wallabies fully involved in flames and a second similar structure next to it also burning. Crews immediately put water on the fire and assisted zoo personnel with retrieving the animals that were still in and around the structures. Devendorf says the fire was knocked down quickly. Unfortunately, one Wallaby was not able to escape the fire and perished. Another one was removed from the structure with significant injuries, and with the assistance of zoo personnel, was taken to one of our Engines and administered oxygen using equipment known as “Fido Bags”. The Fido Bag is a means to administer oxygen to dogs and cats that have had smoke inhalation at a fire.Four injured Wallabies were transported to a local animal hospital. There were no injuries to firefighters or civilians. The first structure was a total loss and the second received significant damage. Damages are estimated at over $10,000. Devendorf says the source of ignition was a heat lamp in the structure that was used to keep the animals warm.
