MADEIRA BEACH, FLA. — A number of animals were killed overnight after a fire broke out inside of the Alligator & Wildlife Discovery Center in John’s Pass. 

According to fire crews on scene, all of the mammals that were inside of the facility perished in the fire. Some reptiles were also killed, while a few of the alligators and turtles that were living there are expected to be OK and are being taken to Clearwater Marine Aquarium, among other facilities.

Meanwhile, the center’s owner told Spectrum News that she plans to rebuild.

The overnight fire killed more than 150 animals.

The fire was reported just before 3 a.m. and dozens of first responders were on scene for a number of hours Thursday morning.

“To be able to put the fire out is one aspect of it but the other is to save life, whether it’s a human or an animal,” said Clint Belk, Madeira Beach Fire Chief. “We have pet masks on the truck to provide oxygen to dogs and cats but this was just one of those rare circumstances with the animals involved that there wasn’t much we could do for them.”

"It’s tragic, it’s hurting my heart hard to keep the emotion in,” said Robin Miller, president and CEO of Tampa Bay Beaches Chamber of Commerce.

She spent the day turning her emotion into action, making calls and sending texts and e-mails to garner help. 

Sonny Flynn, the co-owner of the center, is grateful for the help.

“The community support is just overwhelming, it’s keeping me strong,” Flynn said. "The good news is that there were a lot more that survived than we anticipated.”

The facility started out at 700 square feet. Flynn said she expanded the space to 10,000. She plans to rebuild.

“This is a very valuable resource for the community and not only the community but the animals themselves, so the pet surrenders are necessary to be loved and cared for,” Flynn said.

Miller hopes fundraising efforts help make that happen.

"This is more than an attraction here in the John’s Pass Village, it’s an education center and a rescue center and so it’s a pillar in the Pass. But also people come from all over to learn."

In addition to the aquarium in Clearwater, rescued animals are being taken to Busch Gardens and the Florida Aquarium.

In a statement sent to media outlets, PETA said:

“After being confined to cramped cages or subjected to stressful and invasive hands-on encounters, these animals endured agonizing deaths as smoke and flames engulfed them. PETA is calling on this seedy shopping mall petting zoo to send any survivors to reputable facilities and shut its doors for good.”

Damage is expected to exceed more than $1 million. 

Belk says water and smoke damaged many of the surrounding businesses. 

The cause of the fire is under investigation.