Firefighters encounter alligator at blaze

staff repor

NORTH BEAVER, Pa. — Firefighters responding to a blaze at a former elementary school encountered an unusual occupant.

An alligator was housed inside of the abandoned school on Edinburg Road. Firefighters from the township also found about 70 rabbits in cages inside the building and two dogs. A third dog, a cat and a few rabbits died in the blaze that was reported shortly before 2 p.m. Thursday.

No people were inside the building, and no human injuries were reported.

The cause of the fire remains under investigation.