A Dallas Fire-Rescue spokesperson says in a statement that the 579 animals in the pet shop at Plaza Latina in Northwest Dallas died from smoke inhalation Friday morning.

Dallas Animal Services removed 579 dead animals from an exotic pet shop inside Plaza Latina Bazaar, a shopping center in Northwest Dallas, following the extinguishing of a fire on

As a Dallas firefighter and paramedic, Paulo Bicahlo is trained and ready to rescue people. But when smoke from a fire at the Plaza Latina mall reached a pet store there Friday, he and his crew jumped in to help what animals they could.

Chopper footage showed heavy smoke coming from the roof of the shopping center in the 11000 block of Harry Hines Boulevard.

Dallas Animal Services removed a total of 579 animals, including small birds, chickens, hamsters, two dogs and two cats.

Most of the animals died of smoke inhalation, officials said. They included birds, chickens, hamsters, dogs and cats.

Dallas firefighter and paramedic Paulo Bicahlo and his crew sprang into action to rescue animals from a pet store at Plaza Latina shopping mall after a fire broke out on Friday. Despite their valiant efforts,

Most of the animals died of smoke inhalation, officials said. They included birds, chickens, hamsters, dogs and cats.

Dallas authorities are investigating what caused a fire that burned a Dallas shopping center Friday morning and killed more than 500 animals. CW39's Sharron Melton explains.