No foul play suspected in fire that killed animals at sanctuary

ORLANDO, Fla.—Investigators probing a fire that killed 41 animals Monday at the Second Chance Wildlife Sanctuary in east Orange County don’t suspect foul play caused the blaze, a spokeswoman for the Florida Chief Financial Officer Jimmy Patronis said Friday.

“It’s still early in the investigation, but fire investigators are saying they don’t suspect any suspicious activity,” said Alecia Collins, a spokeswoman for Patronis, who oversees the Bureau of Fire, Arson & Explosives Investigations.

The fire destroyed the two-story home of caretaker/owner Jim Bronzo, who said he was awakened to the flames by a shrieking peacock. Neighbors who heard explosions called 911.

Lance Tompkins, spokesman for the state Division of Investigative and Forensic Services, said investigators believe the fire originated in a storage area of the structure.

Friends and fellow animal advocates have pitched in to help Bronzo manage the surviving 320 animals.

A GoFundMe account to benefit Bronzo stood at more than $92,000 Friday.

According to the crowd-funding site, “Jim was unable to have insurance on the contents of the property and it is a total loss. 38+ years, his life’s work. Please help him rebuild. Jim lost everything personally as well, his clothes, photos, phone.”