http://www.cnn.com/2005/US/03/04/pet.store.ap/index.html

Pet shop explodes, people and animals trapped
Friday, March 4, 2005 Posted: 2:09 PM EST (1909 GMT)

EATONTOWN, New Jersey (AP) -- The roof of a pet supply store collapsed
Friday after a damaged gas line exploded, and at least four people and
scores of animals were trapped in the rubble, authorities said.

Two of the six people who had been inside the Petco store were taken
to a hospital, Police Capt. George Jackson told WABC-TV in New York.
Four other people are believed to be trapped.

In addition, about 100 to 200 small animals and fish were likely
inside the store at the time of the blast, said Ursula Goetz, director
of the Monmouth County Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to
Animals. She said the store sold exotic birds, guinea pigs, ferrets,
gerbils and mice.

The explosion occurred as employees were evacuating customers and
animals after construction workers damaged an unmarked gas line
outside the store and then smelled gas, Petco spokesman Shawn
Underwood said.

He said a female manager who was trapped in the basement used her cell
phone to direct rescuers to her. It wasn't immediately known if she
was still trapped.

Eatontown is about 40 miles south of Newark near the Atlantic coast.

Jeanne Hedge, as directed by Natasha

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