Several animals killed in nature center fire

MYRTLE BEACH, SC (AP) – Officials say a fire at a Huntington Beach State Park nature center killed several animals and destroyed the property.

Midway Fire Rescue Chief Doug Eggiman tells news outlets that the fire started Wednesday morning and was likely caused by a lightning strike.

Several animals, including snakes and small alligators, were inside the three-story nature center during the fire. Eggiman says there was no way they could have survived.

Crews from Georgetown Fire and Murrells Inlet-Garden City Fire Department helped put out the fire within two hours.

It’s unclear whether the nature center will be rebuilt.

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