Pets rescued in Puerto Rico after fuel explosion

Animal activists in this U.S. Caribbean territory say they have rescued more than 60 pets from the homes of people evacuated following an explosion at a fuel-storage site.

A total of 32 birds, 22 dogs and 10 cats are being temporarily housed at an animal shelter in the city of Carolina, just east of San Juan.

Maritza Rodriguez is the president of the adoptionmascotas.com pet-adoption agency. She says all the animals were found in good condition.

Rodriguez says that shelter officials will care for the animals until residents are cleared to return to their homes.

More than 1,500 people were evacuated and another 530 sought shelter after fuel tanks at the Caribbean Petroleum Corp. caught fire Friday.

-- Associated Press

Photo: A gasoline warehouse and distribution center burns in Catano, Puerto Rico, on Friday, Oct. 23.  Credit: Associated Press